REGISTRATION STATEMENT
|
||||
|
UNDER
|
|
||
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
|
||||
|
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
|
|
☐
|
|
|
Post-Effective Amendment No.
|
|
☐
|
Andrew Pappert
Secretary Alpine Series Trust
|
Q.
|
WHY IS A SHAREHOLDER MEETING BEING HELD?
|
|
Q.
|
HOW WILL THE REORGANIZATION OF MY TARGET FUND AFFECT ME?
|
|
Q.
|
WHY IS THE REORGANIZATION BEING RECOMMENDED?
|
|
Q.
|
ARE THE TARGET FUNDS’ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED POLICIES SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACQUIRING FUND?
|
|
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
80% Investment Policy
|
|
Under normal circumstances, the Equity Income Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities. The Equity Income Fund invests primarily in income-producing securities, targeting an investment in such securities of at least 65% of its total assets.
Alpine believes that high quality companies with strong balance sheets coupled with strong dividend profiles are attractive candidates for long-term investment. Alpine will typically emphasize dividend-paying equity securities with a focus placed upon current dividend levels as well as dividend growth over time.
|
|
Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of certain domestic and foreign companies that pay dividends. This includes companies that have announced a special dividend or announced that they will pay dividends within six months. The Acquiring Fund seeks to provide dividend income without regard to whether the dividends qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
|
Investment in Foreign Securities
|
|
The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in the securities of foreign issuers that are publicly traded in the United States or on foreign exchanges.
|
|
The Acquiring Fund invests in the equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers, including those in emerging markets. The Acquiring Fund is not restricted with respect to how much it may invest in the issuers of any single country or the amount it may invest in non-U.S. issuers, provided the Acquiring Fund limits its investments in countries that are considered “emerging markets” to no more than 25% of its net assets at the time of investment.
|
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Investment Objective(s)
|
|
Seeks capital appreciation.
|
|
Seeks income. Long-term growth of capital is a secondary objective.
|
80% Investment Policy
|
|
No 80% investment policy.
Under normal circumstances, the Transformations Fund seeks to invest in equity securities of companies that, in Alpine’s estimation, are entering or on the verge of entering an accelerated growth period catalyzed by transformation. Alpine believes that companies may experience transformation by (i) using existing assets more effectively, including through reorganization or rejuvenation of its management or business model or (ii) developing new concepts, including product, technology or business model concepts. Alpine believes that acceleration and deceleration of every company’s growth is inevitable during its life cycle. Alpine seeks to identify companies that are poised for transformation and an accelerated growth period by evaluating corporate management and its strategic capabilities, the competitive environment of a company and the company’s resources available for mobilization. |
|
Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of certain domestic and foreign companies that pay dividends. This includes companies that have announced a special dividend or announced that they will pay dividends within six months. The Acquiring Fund seeks to provide dividend income without regard to whether the dividends qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code.
|
Investment in Foreign Securities
|
|
The Transformations Fund may invest without limitation in foreign securities, including direct investments in securities of foreign issuers and investments in depositary receipts (such as American Depositary Receipts) that represent indirect interests in securities of foreign issuers. The Transformations Fund is not restricted on how much may be invested issuers of a single country, provided that it limits its investment in countries that are considered “emerging markets” to no more than 35% of its net assets.
|
|
The Acquiring Fund is not restricted with respect to how much it may invest in the issuers of any single country or the amount it may invest in non-U.S. issuers, provided the Acquiring Fund limits its investments in countries that are considered “emerging markets” to no more than 25% of its net assets at the time of investment.
|
|
Q.
|
HOW IS EACH REORGANIZATION EXPECTED TO IMPACT FUND FEES AND EXPENSES?
|
|
•
|
|
Gross and net total operating expenses of Institutional Class and Class A shares of the Combined Fund are expected to be lower than gross and net total operating expenses of the Institutional Class and Class A shares of each Target Fund.
|
|
•
|
|
Any sales charges or deferred sales charges imposed on a class of the Combined Fund will be the same as those imposed on the corresponding class of a Target Fund.
|
|
Q.
|
WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY SALES LOAD, CHARGE OR OTHER COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH A REORGANIZATION?
|
|
Q.
|
WHAT CLASSES OF SHARES WILL I RECEIVE?
|
|
Q.
|
WILL I RECEIVE THE SAME NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AS I CURRENTLY OWN OF A TARGET FUND?
|
|
Q.
|
WHAT IF I REDEEM OR EXCHANGE MY SHARES BEFORE THE CLOSING OF THE REORGANIZATION WITH RESPECT TO MY TARGET FUND?
|
|
Q.
|
WILL MY SHAREHOLDER PRIVILEGES CHANGE AS A RESULT OF A REORGANIZATION?
|
|
Q.
|
CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES IN A TARGET FUND PRIOR TO A REORGANIZATION?
|
|
Q.
|
WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY TAXES AS A RESULT OF A REORGANIZATION?
|
|
Q.
|
WHO WILL PAY FOR EACH REORGANIZATION?
|
|
Q.
|
HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?
|
|
Q.
|
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REORGANIZATION OF MY TARGET FUND IS NOT APPROVED?
|
|
Q.
|
I AM AN INVESTOR WHO HOLDS A SMALL NUMBER OF SHARES. WHY SHOULD I VOTE?
|
|
Q.
|
WHEN IS THE REORGANIZATION OF MY TARGET FUND EXPECTED TO HAPPEN?
|
|
Q.
|
HOW CAN I VOTE OR AUTHORIZE A PROXY TO VOTE?
|
To authorize a proxy to vote by touch-tone telephone:
|
|
To authorize a proxy to vote by Internet:
|
(1) Read the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus and have your Proxy Card at hand.
|
|
(1) Read the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus and have your Proxy Card at hand.
|
(2) Call the toll-free number that appears on your Proxy Card.
|
|
(2) Go to the website that appears on your Proxy Card.
|
(3) Enter the control number set out on the Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions.
|
|
(3) Enter the control number set out on the Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions.
|
|
Q.
|
WHO GETS TO VOTE?
|
|
Q.
|
WHOM DO I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
|
PROPOSAL 1:
|
To consider and vote upon an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, providing for (i) the acquisition of all of the assets of your Target Fund by Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund (to be renamed Alpine Rising Dividend Fund effective as of September 9, 2015) (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of the Trust, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of your Target Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund, to be distributed to the shareholders of your Target Fund, and (ii) the subsequent termination of your Target Fund as a series of the Trust.
|
PROPOSAL 2:
|
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
|
PROPOSAL 1:
|
To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”), providing for (i) the acquisition of all of the assets of your Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of your Target Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund to be distributed to the shareholders of your Target Fund (the “Reorganization”), and (ii) the subsequent termination of your Target Fund as a series of the Trust.
|
PROPOSAL 2:
|
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
|
Target Fund—Share Class Exchanged
|
|
Acquiring Fund—Share Class Received
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
|
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
|
Institutional Class
|
|
Institutional Class
|
Class A
|
|
Class A
|
Target Fund—Share Class Exchanged
|
|
Acquiring Fund—Share Class Received
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
|
Institutional Class
|
|
Institutional Class
|
Class A
|
Class A
|
SUMMARY
|
|
|
7
|
Proposed Reorganizations
|
|
|
7
|
Certain Defined Terms Used in This Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus
|
|
|
8
|
Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies
|
|
|
8
|
Effect on Expenses
|
|
|
9
|
Comparison of Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
9
|
Federal Income Tax Consequences
|
|
|
16
|
Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Policies and Procedures
|
|
|
16
|
COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS
|
|
|
17
|
Investment Objectives
|
|
|
17
|
Principal Investment Policies and Strategies
|
|
|
17
|
Risk Factors
|
|
|
18
|
Side-by-Side Comparison
|
|
|
22
|
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES OF FUND SHARES; OTHER SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
|
|
|
27
|
How to Buy Shares – Class A
|
|
|
27
|
How to Buy Shares – Institutional Class
|
|
|
28
|
Exchange Privilege
|
|
|
30
|
How to Redeem Shares
|
|
|
32
|
How the Funds Value Their Shares
|
|
|
34
|
Short-Term Trading Practices
|
|
|
35
|
Anti-Money Laundering
|
|
|
36
|
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan – Class A
|
|
|
36
|
Sales Charge – Class A
|
|
|
37
|
Sales Charge Reduction or Waiver – Class A
|
|
|
37
|
Right of Accumulation
|
|
|
38
|
Letter of Intent
|
|
|
38
|
Reinstatement Privilege
|
|
|
39
|
Payments to Broker/Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
|
|
|
39
|
Revenue Sharing, Networking and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees
|
|
|
39
|
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
|
|
|
40
|
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATIONS
|
|
|
42
|
The Reorganization Agreements
|
|
|
42
|
Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares
|
|
|
43
|
Reasons for the Reorganizations and Board Considerations
|
|
|
43
|
Federal Income Tax Consequences
|
|
|
44
|
TERMINATION OF THE TARGET FUNDS
|
|
|
45
|
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
|
|
|
46
|
INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE TARGET FUNDS AND THE ACQUIRING FUND
|
|
|
46
|
Legal Proceedings
|
|
|
46
|
Management of the Equity Income Fund
|
|
|
47
|
Management of the Transformations Fund
|
|
|
47
|
Management of the Acquiring Fund
|
|
|
47
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TARGET FUNDS AND THE ACQUIRING FUND
|
|
|
48
|
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
48
|
Distribution Arrangements
|
|
|
48
|
Capitalization
|
|
|
48
|
Shareholder Rights and Obligations
|
|
|
49
|
Other Business
|
|
|
50
|
Shareholder Communications with the Board
|
|
|
50
|
Voting Information
|
|
|
50
|
Appendix A: Dates of Prospectuses, Funds Statement of Additional Information and Shareholder Reports
|
A-1
|
Appendix B: Agreement and Plan of Reorganization for Equity Income Fund and Agreement and Plan of Reorganization for Transformations Fund
|
B-1
|
Appendix C: Financial Highlights of Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
|
C-1
|
Appendix D: Historical Performance for Each Fund
|
D-1
|
Appendix E: Instructions for Signing Proxy Cards
|
E-1
|
Appendix F: 5% Shareholders of the Target Funds and Acquiring Fund
|
F-1
|
Appendix G: Fundamental Investment Policies | G-1 |
Pre-Reorganization
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
Institutional
Class |
|||
Equity
Income Fund Institutional
Class |
Transformations Fund
Institutional
Class |
Acquiring
Fund Institutional
Class |
||
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
|
||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within less than 60 days of purchase) |
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%): |
||||
Management Fees
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Other Expenses
|
0.23%
|
0.89%
|
1.25%
|
0.21%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
0.07%
|
-
|
-
|
0.06%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.30%
|
1.89%
|
2.25%
|
1.27%
|
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
-
|
(0.54)%
|
(0.90)%
|
-
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
1.30%
|
1.35%
|
1.35%
|
1.27%
|
(1) |
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that total annual fund operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed annually 1.60% of the average net assets of the Class A shares and 1.35% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to March 1, 2016 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The Adviser may recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class if such recapture occurs within three years of the waiver and/or reimbursement and does not cause the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund for any year to exceed the limits described above.
|
Pre-Reorganization
|
||||
Equity Income Fund
Class A
|
Transformations Fund
Class A
|
Acquiring Fund
Class A
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
Class A
|
|
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
|
||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within less than 60 days of purchase) |
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%): |
||||
Management Fees
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
Other Expenses
|
0.23%
|
0.89%
|
1.25%
|
0.21%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
0.07%
|
-
|
-
|
0.06%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.55%
|
2.14%
|
2.50%
|
1.52%
|
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
-
|
(0.54)%
|
(0.90)%
|
-
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
1.55%
|
1.60%
|
1.60%
|
1.52%
|
(1)
|
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that total annual fund operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed annually 1.60% of the average net assets of the Class A shares and 1.35% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to March 1, 2016 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The Adviser may recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class if such recapture occurs within three years of the waiver and/or reimbursement and does not cause the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund for any year to exceed the limits described above.
|
|
·
|
You invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods
|
·
|
Your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same
|
|
·
|
You reinvest all distributions and dividends without a sales charge
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
||||||||||||
Institutional Class
|
||||||||||||||||
Alpine Equity Income Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
132
|
$
|
412
|
$
|
713
|
$
|
1,568
|
||||||||
Alpine Transformations Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
137
|
$
|
542
|
$
|
971
|
$
|
2,168
|
||||||||
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
137
|
$
|
617
|
$
|
1,123
|
$
|
2,515
|
||||||||
Pro Forma Combined Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
129
|
$
|
403
|
$
|
697
|
$
|
1,534
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
||||||||||||
Class A
|
||||||||||||||||
Alpine Equity Income Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
699
|
$
|
1,013
|
$
|
1,348
|
$
|
2,294
|
||||||||
Alpine Transformations Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
704
|
$
|
1,134
|
$
|
1,589
|
$
|
2,846
|
||||||||
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
704
|
$
|
1,205
|
$
|
1,731
|
$
|
3,166
|
||||||||
Pro Forma Combined Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
696
|
$
|
1,004
|
$
|
1,333
|
$
|
2,263
|
Pre-Reorganization
|
|||
Equity Income Fund
|
Acquiring Fund
|
Pro Forma
Combined Fund |
|
Institutional
Class |
Institutional
Class |
Institutional
Class |
|
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
None
|
None
|
None
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within less than 60 days of purchase) |
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%): |
|||
Management Fees
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Other Expenses
|
0.23%
|
1.25%
|
0.20%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
0.07%
|
-
|
0.06%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.30%
|
2.25%
|
1.26%
|
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
-
|
(0.90)%
|
-
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
1.30%
|
1.35%
|
1.26%
|
(1)
|
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that total annual fund operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed annually 1.60% of the average net assets of the Class A shares and 1.35% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to March 1, 2016 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The Adviser may recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class if such recapture occurs within three years of the waiver and/or reimbursement and does not cause the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund for any year to exceed the limits described above.
|
Pre-Reorganization
|
|||
Equity Income Fund
Class A
|
Acquiring Fund
Class A
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
Class A
|
|
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within less than 60 days of purchase) |
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%): |
|||
Management Fees
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
Other Expenses
|
0.23%
|
1.25%
|
0.20%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
0.07%
|
-
|
0.06%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.55%
|
2.50%
|
1.51%
|
Fee Waiver and/or /Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
-
|
(0.90)%
|
-
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
1.55%
|
1.60%
|
1.51%
|
(1)
|
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that total annual fund operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed annually 1.60% of the average net assets of the Class A shares and 1.35% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to March 1, 2016 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The Adviser may recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class if such recapture occurs within three years of the waiver and/or reimbursement and does not cause the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund for any year to exceed the limits described above.
|
|
·
|
You invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods
|
·
|
Your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same
|
|
·
|
You reinvest all distributions and dividends without a sales charge
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
||||||||||||
Institutional Class
|
||||||||||||||||
Alpine Equity Income Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
132
|
$
|
412
|
$
|
713
|
$
|
1,568
|
||||||||
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
137
|
$
|
617
|
$
|
1,123
|
$
|
2,515
|
||||||||
Pro Forma Combined Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
128
|
$
|
400
|
$
|
692
|
$
|
1,523
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
||||||||||||
Class A
|
||||||||||||||||
Alpine Equity Income Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
699
|
$
|
1,013
|
$
|
1,348
|
$
|
2,294
|
||||||||
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
704
|
$
|
1,205
|
$
|
1,731
|
$
|
3,166
|
||||||||
Pro Forma Combined Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
695
|
$
|
1,001
|
$
|
1,328
|
$
|
2,252
|
Pre-Reorganization
|
|||
Transformations Fund
Institutional
Class |
Acquiring Fund
Institutional
Class |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
Institutional
Class |
|
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
None
|
None
|
None
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within less than 60 days of purchase) |
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%): |
|||
Management Fees
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Other Expenses
|
0.89%
|
1.25%
|
0.72%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.89%
|
2.25%
|
1.72%
|
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
(0.54)%
|
(0.90)%
|
(0.37)%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
1.35%
|
1.35%
|
1.35%
|
(1)
|
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that total annual fund operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed annually 1.60% of the average net assets of the Class A shares and 1.35% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to March 1, 2016 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The Adviser may recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class if such recapture occurs within three years of the waiver and/or reimbursement and does not cause the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund for any year to exceed the limits described above.
|
Pre-Reorganization
|
|||
Transformations Fund
Class A
|
Acquiring Fund
Class A
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
Class A
|
|
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
5.50%
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Generally none
|
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within less than 60 days of purchase) |
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%): |
|||
Management Fees
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
Other Expenses
|
0.89%
|
1.25%
|
0.72%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
2.14%
|
2.50%
|
1.97%
|
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
(0.54)%
|
(0.90)%
|
(0.37)%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements(1)
|
1.60%
|
1.60%
|
1.60%
|
(1)
|
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund so that total annual fund operating expenses (including 12b-1 fees, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed annually 1.60% of the average net assets of the Class A shares and 1.35% of the average net assets of the Institutional Class shares. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to March 1, 2016 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The Adviser may recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class if such recapture occurs within three years of the waiver and/or reimbursement and does not cause the total annual fund operating expenses of the Fund for any year to exceed the limits described above.
|
|
·
|
You invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods
|
·
|
Your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same
|
|
·
|
You reinvest all distributions and dividends without a sales charge
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
||||||||||||
Institutional Class
|
||||||||||||||||
Alpine Transformations Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
137
|
$
|
542
|
$
|
971
|
$
|
2,168
|
||||||||
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
137
|
$
|
617
|
$
|
1,123
|
$
|
2,515
|
||||||||
Pro Forma Combined Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
137
|
$
|
506
|
$
|
899
|
$
|
1,999
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
||||||||||||
Class A
|
||||||||||||||||
Alpine Transformations Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
704
|
$
|
1,134
|
$
|
1,589
|
$
|
2,846
|
||||||||
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
704
|
$
|
1,205
|
$
|
1,731
|
$
|
3,166
|
||||||||
Pro Forma Combined Alpine Rising Dividend Fund (with or without redemption)
|
$
|
704
|
$
|
1,101
|
$
|
1,522
|
$
|
2,691
|
· | Dividend Strategy Risk — The Fund’s strategy of investing in dividend-paying stocks involves the risk that such stocks may fall out favor with investors and underperform the market. Companies that issue dividend paying-stocks are not required to continue to pay dividends on such stocks. Therefore, there is the possibility that such companies could reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends in the future or the anticipated acceleration of dividends could not occur. |
· | Equity Securities Risk — The stock or other security of a company may not perform as well as expected, and may decrease in value, because of factors related to the company (such as poorer than expected earnings or certain management decisions) or to the industry in which the company is engaged (such as a reduction in the demand for products or services in a particular industry). |
· | Growth Stock Risk — Growth stocks are stocks of companies believed to have above-average potential for growth in revenue and earnings. Growth stocks typically are very sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect future expectations. When it appears those expectations will not be met, the prices of growth stocks typically fall. Growth stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market while the market concentrates on undervalued stocks. |
· | Initial Public Offerings and Secondary Offerings Risk — The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in shares of IPOs or secondary offerings of an issuer. IPOs and secondary offerings may have a magnified impact on the performance of a Fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs and secondary offerings on a Fund’s performance likely will decrease as the Fund’s asset size increases, which could reduce a Fund’s returns. IPOs and secondary offerings may not be consistently available to the Fund for investing. IPO and secondary offering shares frequently are volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, the Fund may hold IPO and secondary offering shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund and may lead to increased expenses for the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO and secondary offering shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price. |
· | Management Risk — The Adviser’s judgment about the quality, relative yield or value of, or market trends affecting, a particular security or sector, or about interest rates generally, may be incorrect. The Adviser’s security selections and other investment decisions might produce losses or cause the Fund to underperform when compared to other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies. |
· | Market Risk — The price of a security held by the Fund may fall due to changing market, economic or political conditions. |
· | Undervalued Stock Risk — The Fund may pursue strategies that may include investing in securities, which, in the opinion of the Adviser, are undervalued. The identification of investment opportunities in undervalued securities is a difficult task and there is no assurance that such opportunities will be successfully recognized or acquired. While investments in undervalued securities offer opportunities for above-average capital appreciation, these investments involve a high degree of financial risk and can result in substantial losses. |
· | Currency Risk — The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation. |
· | Foreign Currency Transactions Risk — Foreign securities are often denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, the value of the Fund's shares is affected by changes in exchange rates. The Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to try to manage this risk. The Fund’s ability to use foreign currency transactions successfully depends on a number of factors, including the foreign currency transactions being available at prices that are not too costly, the availability of liquid markets and the ability of the Adviser to accurately predict the direction of changes in currency exchange rates. |
· | Foreign Securities Risk — The Fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk. Foreign countries in which the Fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable government actions, and political or financial instability. Lack of information may also affect the value of these securities. The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries. |
· | Micro Capitalization Company Risk — Stock prices of micro capitalization companies are significantly more volatile, and more vulnerable to adverse business and economic developments than those of larger companies. Micro capitalization companies often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, including small or medium capitalization companies. |
· | Portfolio Turnover Risk — High portfolio turnover necessarily results in greater transaction costs which may reduce Fund performance. |
· | Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk — Securities of small or medium capitalization companies are more likely to experience sharper swings in market values, less liquid markets, in which it may be more difficult for the Adviser to sell at times and at prices that the Adviser believes appropriate and generally are more volatile than those of larger companies. |
· | Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. |
· | Fixed Income Securities Risk — Fixed income securities are subject to issuer risk, interest rate risk and market risk. |
· | Interest Rate Risk — Interest rates may rise resulting in a decrease in the value of securities held by the Fund, or may fall resulting in an increase in the value of such securities. Securities having longer maturities generally involve a greater risk of fluctuations in the value resulting from changes in interest rates. |
· | Issuer Risk — Changes in the financial condition of the issuer of an obligation, changes in general economic conditions, or changes in economic conditions that affect the issuer may impact its actual or perceived willingness or ability to make timely payments of interest or principal. |
· | Large Capitalization Company Risk — Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. Also, large-capitalization companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. |
· | Medium Capitalization Company Risk — Securities of medium capitalization companies are more likely to experience sharper swings in market values, less liquid markets, in which it may be more difficult for the Adviser to sell at times and at prices that the Adviser believes appropriate and generally are more volatile than those of larger companies. |
· | “Special Situations” Companies Risk — “Special situations” include a change in management or management policies, the acquisition of a significant equity position in the company by others, a merger or reorganization, or the sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary which, if resolved favorably, would improve the value of the company’s stock. If the actual or prospective situation does not materialize as anticipated, the market price of the securities of a special situation company may decline significantly. There can be no assurance that a special situation that exists at the time of its investment will be consummated under the terms and within the time period contemplated. Investments in “special situations” companies can present greater risks than investments in companies not experiencing special situations. |
· | U.S. Government Securities Risk — U.S. government securities are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government, its agencies or government-sponsored entities. U.S. government securities include issues by non-governmental entities (like financial institutions) that carry direct guarantees from U.S. government agencies as part of government initiatives in response to the market crisis or otherwise. Although the U.S. government guarantees principal and interest payments on securities issued by the U.S. government and some of its agencies, such as securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), this guarantee does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of these securities. Some of the U.S. government securities that the Fund may hold are not guaranteed or backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Although the U.S. government has recently provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future. |
· | Currency Risk — The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation. |
· | Equity Securities Risk — The stock or other security of a company may not perform as well as expected, and may decrease in value, because of factors related to the company (such as poorer than expected earnings or certain management decisions) or to the industry in which the company is engaged (such as a reduction in the demand for products or services in a particular industry). |
· | Foreign Securities Risk — The Fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk. Foreign countries in which the Fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable government actions, and political or financial instability. Lack of information may also affect the value of these securities. The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries. |
· | Growth Stock Risk — Growth stocks are stocks of companies believed to have above-average potential for growth in revenue and earnings. Growth stocks typically are very sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect future expectations. When it appears those expectations will not be met, the prices of growth stocks typically fall. Growth stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market while the market concentrates on undervalued stocks. |
· | Initial Public Offerings and Secondary Offerings Risk — The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in shares of IPOs or secondary offerings of an issuer. IPOs and secondary offerings may have a magnified impact on the performance of a Fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs and secondary offerings on a Fund’s performance likely will decrease as the Fund’s asset size increases, which could reduce a Fund’s returns. IPOs and secondary offerings may not be consistently available to the Fund for investing. IPO and secondary offering shares frequently are volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, the Fund may hold IPO and secondary offering shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund and may lead to increased expenses for the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO and secondary offering shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price. |
· | Management Risk — The Adviser’s judgment about the quality, relative yield or value of, or market trends affecting, a particular security or sector, or about interest rates generally, may be incorrect. The Adviser’s security selections and other investment decisions might produce losses or cause the Fund to underperform when compared to other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies. |
· | Market Risk — The price of a security held by the Fund may fall due to changing market, economic or political conditions. |
· | Micro Capitalization Company Risk — Stock prices of micro capitalization companies are significantly more volatile, and more vulnerable to adverse business and economic developments than those of larger companies. Micro capitalization companies often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, including small or medium capitalization companies. |
· | Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk — Securities of small or medium capitalization companies are more likely to experience sharper swings in market values, less liquid markets, in which it may be more difficult for the Adviser to sell at times and at prices that the Adviser believes appropriate and generally are more volatile than those of larger companies. |
· | Undervalued Stock Risk — The Fund may pursue strategies that may include investing in securities, which, in the opinion of the Adviser, are undervalued. The identification of investment opportunities in undervalued securities is a difficult task and there is no assurance that such opportunities will be successfully recognized or acquired. While investments in undervalued securities offer opportunities for above-average capital appreciation, these investments involve a high degree of financial risk and can result in substantial losses. |
· | Dividend Strategy Risk — The Fund’s strategy of investing in dividend-paying stocks involves the risk that such stocks may fall out favor with investors and underperform the market. Companies that issue dividend paying-stocks are not required to continue to pay dividends on such stocks. Therefore, there is the possibility that such companies could reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends in the future or the anticipated acceleration of dividends could not occur. |
· | Foreign Currency Transactions Risk — Foreign securities are often denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, the value of the Fund's shares is affected by changes in exchange rates. The Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to try to manage this risk. The Fund’s ability to use foreign currency transactions successfully depends on a number of factors, including the foreign currency transactions being available at prices that are not too costly, the availability of liquid markets and the ability of the Adviser to accurately predict the direction of changes in currency exchange rates. |
· | Portfolio Turnover Risk — High portfolio turnover necessarily results in greater transaction costs which may reduce Fund performance. |
· | “Special Situations” Companies Risk — “Special situations” include a change in management or management policies, the acquisition of a significant equity position in the company by others, a merger or reorganization, or the sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary which, if resolved favorably, would improve the value of the company’s stock. If the actual or prospective situation does not materialize as anticipated, the market price of the securities of a special situation company may decline significantly. There can be no assurance that a special situation that exists at the time of its investment will be consummated under the terms and within the time period contemplated. Investments in “special situations” companies can present greater risks than investments in companies not experiencing special situations. |
· | Transformation Risk — The Adviser seeks to invest in the securities of companies that the Adviser believes are entering or on the verge of entering a corporate transformation. No assurance can be made that these transformations will result in the vigorous growth anticipated by the Adviser or such growth may be significantly delayed. |
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
Investment Objectives
|
Seeks current income and long-term growth of capital.
|
Seeks income. Long-term growth of capital is a secondary objective.
|
Both the Equity Income Fund and the Acquiring Fund seek income and long-term growth of capital.
|
80% Investment Policy
|
Under normal circumstances, the Equity Income Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities. The Equity Income Fund invests primarily in income-producing securities, targeting an investment in such securities of at least 65% of its total assets.
The Adviser believes that high quality companies with strong balance sheets coupled with strong dividend profiles are attractive candidates for long-term investment. The Adviser will typically emphasize dividend-paying equity securities with a focus placed upon current dividend levels as well as dividend growth over time.
|
Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of certain domestic and foreign companies that pay dividends. This includes companies that have announced a special dividend or announced that they will pay dividends within six months. The Acquiring Fund seeks to provide dividend income without regard to whether the dividends qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
|
The Equity Income Fund and the Acquiring Fund’s 80% policies focus on investing in equity securities. However, the Acquiring Fund’s policy is specifically tied to equity securities that pay dividends. The Equity Income Fund does not have such a policy, but targets an investment of at least 65% of its total assets in income-producing securities.
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
Investment in Foreign Securities
|
The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in the securities of foreign issuers that are publicly traded in the United States or on foreign exchanges.
|
The Acquiring Fund is not restricted with respect to how much it may invest in the issuers of any single country or the amount it may invest in non-U.S. issuers, provided the Acquiring Fund limits its investments in countries that are considered emerging markets to no more than 25% of its net assets at the time of investment. An “emerging market” country is any country that is considered to be an emerging or developing country by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”).
|
The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities of foreign issuers, while the Acquiring Fund has no limit on these investments except that it may not invest more than 25% of its net assets in emerging markets issuers.
|
Fixed Income Investments
|
The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities. The Equity Income Fund may invest in fixed income securities when the Adviser believes such securities provide attractive income opportunities and to generate yield. The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in fixed income securities rated below “A” by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; this limit does not apply to convertible debt securities.
The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in non-investment grade debt securities.
|
The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in non-investment grade debt securities.
|
The Equity Income Fund may invest up to 20% of its a net assets in fixed income securities.
The Equity Income Fund and Acquiring Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in non-investment grade debt securities.
|
Selection process
|
The Equity Income Fund invests in equity securities that the Adviser believes offer growth and income potential. The Adviser focuses on companies that it believes are attractively valued relative to their growth prospects. In selecting equity investments, the Adviser considers company fundamentals and the strength of a company’s management, as well as economic, market and regulatory conditions affecting a company or the industry.
With respect to fixed income securities, the Adviser also seeks growth and income potential. Investment emphasis is placed on higher quality issues expected to fluctuate little in value except as a result of changes in prevailing interest rates. The market values of the fixed income securities in the Equity Income Fund’s portfolio can be expected to vary inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates. Although fixed income investments, to the extent made, will generally be made for the purpose of generating interest income, investments in medium to long-term fixed income securities (i.e., those with maturities from five to ten years and those with maturities over ten years, respectively) may be made with a view to realizing capital appreciation when the Adviser believes changes in interest rates will lead to an increase in the values of such securities. The fixed income portion of the Equity Income Fund’s portfolio will consist primarily of high quality fixed income securities; predominantly, debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, corporate obligations and money market instruments. |
The Acquiring Fund combines three research driven investment strategies — dividend, growth and value — to generate sustainable distributed dividend income and to identify issuers globally with the history of or potential for increasing dividends and capital appreciation. The Acquiring Fund seeks to invest in issuers with a history of or potential for increasing and/or accelerating dividends, dividends that increase over time and where the amount of such increases grows over time. In selecting issuers, the Adviser analyzes each company’s dividend history, free cash flow and dividend payout ratios to assess that company’s potential to provide dividends as well the sustainability of dividend growth. The Fund uses a multi-cap, multi-sector, multi-style approach to invest in the securities of issuers of any capitalization level and in any sector or industry. In order to generate dividend income, the Acquiring Fund may use a dividend capture strategy where it purchases shares prior to the record date for a dividend and sells them within a short time thereafter. This strategy may result in higher turnover and associated transaction costs for the Acquiring Fund and may generate taxable short-term gains or losses. There is the potential for market loss on the shares that are purchased to capture a dividend, although Alpine seeks to use this strategy to generate additional income with limited adverse impact on the Acquiring Fund’s total return. |
The Equity Income Fund invests in both equity and fixed income securities and follows a growth and income approach.
The Acquiring Fund focuses on equity securities and has a dividend, growth and value oriented approach.
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
Diversification
|
The Target Fund is classified as diversified.
|
The Acquiring Fund is classified as diversified.
|
Same.
|
Investment Adviser
|
Alpine
|
Alpine
|
Same.
|
Portfolio Manager(s)
|
Mark T. Spellman
Stephen A. Lieber
|
Andrew Kohl
|
Different portfolio managers.
|
Dividends and Other Distributions
|
Policy is to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Code.
|
Policy is to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Code.
|
Same.
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
Investment Objective(s)
|
Seeks capital appreciation.
|
Seeks income. Long-term growth of capital is a secondary objective.
|
The Transformations Fund seeks capital appreciation while the Acquiring Fund seeks income and long-term growth of capital.
|
Principal Investment Strategies
|
Under normal circumstances, the Transformations Fund seeks to invest in equity securities of companies that, in the Adviser’s estimation, are entering or on the verge of entering an accelerated growth period catalyzed by transformation. The Adviser believes that companies may experience transformation by (i) using existing assets more effectively, including through reorganization or rejuvenation of its management or business model or (ii) developing new concepts, including product, technology or business model concepts. The Adviser believes that acceleration and deceleration of every company’s growth is inevitable during its life cycle. The Adviser seeks to identify companies that are poised for transformation and an accelerated growth period by evaluating corporate management and its strategic capabilities, the competitive environment of a company and the company’s resources available for mobilization. |
Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of certain domestic and foreign companies that pay dividends. This includes companies that have announced a special dividend or announced that they will pay dividends within six months. The Acquiring Fund seeks to provide dividend income without regard to whether the dividends qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code.
|
The Transformations Fund does not have an 80% policy and seeks to invest in equity securities of companies that, in the Adviser’s estimation, are entering or on the verge of entering an accelerated growth period catalyzed by transformation.
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
Investment in foreign securities
|
The Fund may invest without limitation in foreign securities, including direct investments in securities of foreign issuers and investments in depositary receipts (such as American Depositary Receipts) that represent indirect interests in securities of foreign issuers. The Fund is not restricted on how much may be invested issuers of a single country, provided that it limits its investment in countries that are considered “emerging markets” to no more than 35% of its net assets. An “emerging market” country is any country that is considered to be an emerging or developing country by the World Bank.
|
The Fund is not restricted with respect to how much it may invest in the issuers of any single country or the amount it may invest in non-U.S. issuers, provided the Fund limits its investments in countries that are considered emerging markets to no more than 25% of its net assets at the time of investment. An “emerging market” country is any country that is considered to be an emerging or developing country by the World Bank.
Allocation of the Fund’s assets among countries is dependent on the economic outlook of those countries and the dividends available in their markets. The Adviser screens the U.S. and foreign issuers in which it considers investing using the same criteria, including accelerating dividends, sufficiently liquid trading in an established market, and also its judgment that the issuer may have good prospects for earnings growth or may be undervalued.
|
The Transformations Fund and Acquiring Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers without limitation. However, the Transformations Fund may not invest more than 35% of its net assets in emerging markets issuers and the Acquiring Fund may not invest more than 25% of its net assets in emerging markets issuers. Both define an “emerging market” country as any country that is considered to be an emerging or developing country by the World Bank.
|
Selection process
|
In managing the assets of the Transformations Fund, the Adviser pursues a value-oriented approach. The Adviser seeks to identify investment opportunities in securities of companies that it believes are undervalued in light of the companies’ potential for vigorous growth. The Transformations Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization, including established companies or those with little operating history.
The Transformations Fund does not have a policy to concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in any particular industry, but rather the Adviser seeks to identify businesses that it believes are well positioned to benefit from corporate transformation. Factors that the Adviser considers include, but are not limited to, strong financial resources, new or reorganized corporate management, demonstrated technological leadership, introduction of new and better products, innovative business models and potential to benefit from deregulation. In addition, these factors may indicate to the Adviser that a company has potential for transformation in the form of a merger or acquisition or other consolidation event, any of which may stimulate growth.
|
The Acquiring Fund combines three research driven investment strategies — dividend, growth and value — to generate sustainable distributed dividend income and to identify issuers globally with the history of or potential for increasing dividends and capital appreciation. The Acquiring Fund seeks to invest in issuers with a history of or potential for increasing and/or “accelerating dividends,” dividends that increase over time and where the amount of such increases grows over time. In selecting issuers, the Adviser analyzes each company’s dividend history, free cash flow and dividend payout ratios to assess that company’s potential to provide accelerating dividends as well the sustainability of dividend growth.
|
The Transformations Fund has a value oriented approach. The Acquiring Fund has a dividend, growth and value oriented approach.
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
Diversification
|
The Target Fund is classified as diversified.
|
The Acquiring Fund is classified as diversified.
|
Same.
|
Investment Adviser
|
Alpine
|
Alpine
|
Same.
|
Portfolio Manager(s)
|
Sarah Hunt
Stephen A. Lieber
|
Andrew Kohl
|
Different portfolio managers.
|
Dividends and Other Distributions
|
Policy is to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Code.
|
Policy is to distribute to shareholders its investment company taxable income, if any, annually and any net realized capital gains annually or more frequently as required for qualification as a regulated investment company by the Code.
|
Same.
|
·
|
Any shareholder as of the close of business January 3, 2012
|
|
·
|
Employees of Alpine or its affiliates and their immediate family
|
|
·
|
Current and former Trustees of funds advised by Alpine
|
|
·
|
Alpine or its affiliates
|
|
·
|
Investors in employee retirement, stock, bonus, pension or profit sharing plans
|
|
·
|
Investment advisory clients of Alpine or its affiliates
|
|
·
|
Registered Investment Advisers
|
|
·
|
Broker/Dealers and Registered Investment Advisers with clients participating in comprehensive fee programs
|
|
·
|
Any corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, fund or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not that has a formal or informal consulting or advisory relationship with Alpine or a third party through which the investment is made
|
·
|
Complete the application.
|
·
|
Mail the application, together with a check made payable to the Alpine Funds to:
|
By Mail:
|
|
By Overnight Delivery or Express Mail:
|
|
|
|
Alpine Funds
|
|
Alpine Funds
|
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
|
|
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
|
PO Box 8061
|
|
30 Dan Road
|
Boston, MA 02266-8061
|
|
Canton, MA 02021-2089
|
·
|
Payment should be made by check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, savings and loan association, or credit union. The Funds do not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Funds also do not accept cashier’s checks in amounts of less than $10,000. To prevent check fraud, the Funds will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Funds are unable to accept post dated checks, post dated on-line bill pay checks, or any conditional order or payment.
|
·
|
Subsequent investments may be made in the same manner, but you need not include an application. When making a subsequent investment, use the return remittance portion of your statement, or indicate on the face of your check, the name of the Fund in which the investment is to be made, the exact title of the account, your address, and your Fund account number.
|
·
|
The Transfer Agent must have a completed application. You can mail or overnight deliver your application to the Transfer Agent at the address above.
|
·
|
Upon receipt of your completed application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account for you.
|
·
|
The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be given to your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include the name of the Fund you are purchasing, your name and account number so that monies can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit funds by wire to:
|
·
|
Before sending your wire, please contact the Transfer Agent to advise them of your intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of your wire.
|
·
|
Call 1-888-785-5578 or your broker or financial intermediary.
|
·
|
Shares exchanged by telephone must have a value of $1,000 or more.
|
·
|
Exchange requests received after market close (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will be processed using the net asset value determined on the next business day.
|
·
|
During periods of unusual economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty in effecting a telephone exchange. You should follow the procedures for exchanges by mail if you are unable to reach the Funds by telephone, but send your request by overnight courier to: Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021.
|
·
|
Send a written request using the procedures for written redemption requests (however, no signature guarantee is required).
|
·
|
For further information, call 1-888-785-5578 or your broker or financial intermediary.
|
·
|
During periods of unusual economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty in effecting an internet exchange.
|
·
|
Exchange requests received after market close (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will be processed using the net asset value determined on the next business day.
|
·
|
For further information, call 1-888-785-5578 or visit the Funds’ website at www.alpinefunds.com.
|
·
|
Send a letter of instruction signed by all registered owners of the account to: Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., PO Box 8061, Boston, MA 02266.
|
·
|
Additional documentation is required for the redemption of shares by corporations, financial intermediaries, fiduciaries and surviving joint owners.
|
·
|
Payment for the redeemed shares will be mailed to you by check at the address indicated in your account registration.
|
·
|
Call 1-888-785-5578 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on any business day (i.e., any weekday exclusive of days on which the NYSE is closed). The NYSE is closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
|
·
|
Specify the amount of shares you want to redeem (minimum $1,000).
|
·
|
Provide the account name, as registered with the Fund, and the account number.
|
·
|
Redemption proceeds will be mailed to you by check at the address indicated in your account registration, or wired to an account at a commercial bank that you have previously designated. Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot be cancelled or modified. A $15.00 charge is deducted from redemption proceeds if the proceeds are wired. This charge is subject to change without notice. Redemption proceeds may also be sent via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, to your predetermined bank account. There is no charge for the electronic funds transfer however credit may not be available for two to three days.
|
·
|
During periods of unusual economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty effecting a telephone redemption. In that event, you should follow the procedures for redemption by mail and send your written request by overnight courier to: Alpine Funds, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021.
|
·
|
suspend redemptions or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by applicable law, under extraordinary circumstances, or as permitted by the SEC in order to protect remaining shareholders;
|
·
|
close your account in Fund if as a result of one or more redemptions the account value has remained below $1,000 for thirty days or more. You will receive sixty days’ written notice to increase the account value before the account is closed.
|
·
|
If ownership is changed on your account;
|
·
|
When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;
|
·
|
When establishing or modifying certain services on an account;
|
·
|
If a change of address request was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15 days;
|
·
|
The Funds and/or the Transfer Agent may require a signature guarantee in other cases based on the facts and circumstances relative to the particular situation. A signature guarantee must be provided by a bank or trust company (not a notary public), a member firm of a domestic stock exchange or by another financial institution whose guarantees are acceptable to the Transfer Agent; and
|
·
|
For all redemptions in excess of $50,000 from any shareholder account
|
Amount Invested
|
% of Offering Price
|
% of Net Amount Invested
|
Dealer Concession
|
Less than $25,000
|
5.50%
|
5.82%
|
5.00%
|
$25,000 but less than $50,000
|
5.00%
|
5.26%
|
4.50%
|
$50,000 but less than $100,000
|
4.50%
|
4.71%
|
4.00%
|
$100,000 but less than $250,000
|
3.75%
|
3.90%
|
3.25%
|
$250,000 but less than $500,000
|
2.75%
|
2.83%
|
2.25%
|
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000
|
2.25%
|
2.30%
|
1.75%
|
$1,000,000 and over
|
None*
|
None*
|
1.00%*
|
*
|
A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% will be applied if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchasing Class A shares as part of an investment greater than $1,000,000 if no front-end sales charge was paid at the time of purchase and a concession was paid to the financial intermediary or dealer.
|
·
|
Employees of the Adviser or its affiliates and their immediate family, for purchases directly through the Fund or its distributor
|
·
|
Current and former Trustees of funds advised by the Adviser, for purchases directly through the Fund or its distributor
|
·
|
The Adviser or its affiliates, for purchases directly through the Fund or its distributor
|
·
|
An agent or broker of a dealer that has entered into a selling agreement with the Fund’s distributor for the agent or broker’s own account or an account of a relative of any such person, or an account for the benefit of any such person
|
·
|
Investors in employee retirement, stock, bonus, pension or profit sharing plans
|
·
|
Investment advisory clients of the Adviser or its affiliates
|
·
|
Registered Investment Advisers and clients of certain advisory programs
|
·
|
Broker/Dealers and Registered Investment Advisers with clients participating in comprehensive fee programs
|
·
|
Financial intermediaries that have entered into contractual agreements with the Funds’ distributor to offer shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to its customers
|
·
|
Shares acquired when dividends or capital gains are reinvested in the Funds
|
·
|
Shares offered to any other investment company to effect the combination of such company with the Funds by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise
|
·
|
Purchases by shareholders of the Funds investing through self-directed brokerage service platforms
|
|
•
|
|
the recommendations of Alpine with respect to each Reorganization;
|
|
•
|
|
the potential efficiencies and economies of scale that are expected to result from each Reorganization;
|
|
•
|
|
the advantages and disadvantages to shareholders of each Target Fund expected to result from a Reorganization;
|
|
•
|
|
the benefits to Alpine expected to result from each Reorganization;
|
|
•
|
|
the fact that Alpine will pay for all of the costs and expenses on behalf of each Target Fund solely and directly in connection with each Reorganization;
|
|
•
|
|
the annual fund operating expenses and fees that Target Fund shareholders are expected to pay as shareholders of the Acquiring Fund after each Reorganization;
|
|
•
|
|
the fact that each Reorganization would constitute a tax-free reorganization; and
|
|
•
|
|
the similarities and differences in the investment objectives and principal investment strategies, policies and risks of the Acquiring Fund and each Target Fund.
|
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
Acquiring
Fund |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
Pro Forma
Combined Fund |
|||||||||||||||
Institutional Class:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets
|
$
|
80,333,745
|
$
|
8,871,753
|
$
|
6,322,122
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
95,527,620
|
||||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
$
|
5,671,412
|
$
|
590,828
|
$
|
394,134
|
$
|
(700,800
|
)
|
$
|
5,955,574
|
|||||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$
|
14.16
|
$
|
15.02
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
16.04
|
||||||||||||
Class A:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets
|
$
|
406,705
|
$
|
169,657
|
$
|
2,109,028
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,685,390
|
||||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
$
|
28,786
|
$
|
11,411
|
$
|
131,524
|
$
|
(4,264
|
)
|
$
|
167,457
|
|||||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$
|
14.13
|
$
|
14.87
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
16.04
|
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
|
Acquiring Fund
|
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
Pro Forma
Combined Fund |
||||||||||||
Institutional Class:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Assets
|
$
|
80,333,745
|
$
|
6,322,122
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
86,655,867
|
||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
$
|
5,671,412
|
$
|
394,134
|
$
|
(663,074
|
)
|
$
|
5,402,472
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$
|
14.16
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
16.04
|
||||||||||
Class A:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Assets
|
$
|
406,705
|
$
|
2,109,028
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,515,733
|
||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
$
|
28,786
|
$
|
131,524
|
$
|
(3,430
|
)
|
$
|
156,880
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$
|
14.13
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
16.04
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
Acquiring Fund
|
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
Pro Forma
Combined Fund |
||||||||||||
Institutional Class:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Assets
|
$
|
8,871,753
|
$
|
6,322,122
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
15,193,875
|
||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
$
|
590,828
|
$
|
394,134
|
$
|
(37,726
|
)
|
$
|
947,236
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$
|
15.02
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
16.04
|
||||||||||
Class A:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Assets
|
$
|
169,657
|
$
|
2,109,028
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,278,685
|
||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
$
|
11,411
|
$
|
131,524
|
$
|
(834
|
)
|
$
|
142,101
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$
|
14.87
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
16.04
|
Class
|
Total Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
Institutional Class
|
|
[ ]
|
|
Class A
|
|
[ ]
|
|
Class
|
Total Shares Outstanding
|
|
|
Institutional Class
|
|
[ ]
|
|
Class A
|
|
[ ]
|
|
Andrew Pappert
Secretary Alpine Series Trust
|
Appendix A:
|
|
Dates of Prospectuses, Funds Statement of Additional Information and Shareholder Reports
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Appendix B:
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization for Equity Income Fund and Agreement and Plan of Reorganization for Transformations Fund
|
|
|
B-1
|
|
Appendix C:
|
|
Financial Highlights of Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
|
|
|
C-1
|
|
Appendix D:
|
|
Historical Performance for Each Fund
|
|
|
D-1
|
|
Appendix E:
|
|
Instructions for Signing Proxy Cards
|
|
|
E-1
|
|
Appendix F:
|
|
5% Shareholders of the Target Funds and the Acquiring Fund
|
|
|
F-1
|
|
Appendix G:
|
|
Fundamental Investment Policies
|
|
|
G-1
|
|
Fund
|
Summary Prospectus Dated
|
Prospectus and Fund
SAI Dated |
Shareholder Report Dated
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
|
February 27, 2015
(filed on March 4, 2015) Accession No.
0001398344-15-001469 |
February 27, 2015
(filed on February 27, 2015) Accession No.
0001398344-15-001277 |
October 31, 2014
(filed on January 8, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-000097 (Annual Report) April 30, 2015 (filed on July 2, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-002982 (Semiannual Report) |
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
February 27, 2015
(filed on March 4, 2015) Accession No.
0001398344-15-001477 |
February 27, 2015
(filed on February 27, 2015) Accession No.
0001398344-15-001277 |
October 31, 2014
(filed on January 8, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-000097 (Annual Report) April 30, 2015 (filed on July 2, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-002982 (Semiannual Report) |
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
|
February 27, 2015
(filed on March 4, 2015) Accession No.
0001398344-15-001471 |
February 27, 2015
(filed on February 27, 2015) Accession No.
0001398344-15-001277 |
October 31, 2014
(filed on January 8, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-000097 (Annual Report) April 30, 2015 (filed on July 2, 2015) Accession No. 0000930413-15-002982 (Semiannual Report) |
By: _________________________
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
By: _________________________
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
By: _________________________
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
By: _________________________
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
By: _________________________
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
By: _________________________
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
April 30,
|
Years Ended October 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Institutional Class:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value per share, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
15.88
|
|
|
$
|
15.19
|
|
|
$
|
12.88
|
|
|
$
|
12.83
|
|
|
$
|
12.80
|
|
|
$
|
11.48
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
1.29
|
|
|
|
2.65
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
|
|
|
0.32
|
|
|
|
1.29
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
1.14
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
|
|
3.16
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
1.80
|
|
Redemption fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
(a)
|
|
|
0.00
|
(a)
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.50
|
)
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)
|
From net realized gains
|
|
|
(0.69
|
)
|
|
|
(0.59
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.80
|
)
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.98
|
)
|
|
|
(1.10
|
)
|
|
|
(0.88
|
)
|
|
|
(1.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.80
|
)
|
|
|
(0.48
|
)
|
Net asset value per share, end of period
|
|
$
|
16.04
|
|
|
$
|
15.88
|
|
|
$
|
15.19
|
|
|
$
|
12.88
|
|
|
$
|
12.83
|
|
|
$
|
12.80
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
7.36
|
%(b)
|
|
|
12.25
|
%
|
|
|
25.94
|
%
|
|
|
11.28
|
%
|
|
|
6.43
|
%
|
|
|
16.06
|
%
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets at end of period (000)
|
$6,322
|
|
$4,486
|
|
$3,418
|
|
$2,155
|
|
$3,218
|
|
$2,393
|
|
||||||||||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before waivers and/or expense reimbursements (c)
|
|
|
2.03
|
%(d)
|
|
|
2.25
|
%
|
|
|
3.43
|
%
|
|
|
3.26
|
%
|
|
|
2.64
|
%
|
|
|
2.70
|
%
|
After waivers and/or expense reimbursements (e)
|
|
|
1.35
|
%(d)
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
|
|
|
3.17
|
%(d)
|
|
|
3.33
|
%
|
|
|
3.94
|
%
|
|
|
4.52
|
%
|
|
|
4.09
|
%
|
|
|
4.85
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover (f)
|
|
|
23
|
%(b)
|
|
|
78
|
%
|
|
|
86
|
%
|
|
|
73
|
%
|
|
|
137
|
%
|
|
|
225
|
%
|
(a)
|
The amount is less than $0.005 per share.
|
(b)
|
Not annualized.
|
(c)
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense before waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.03% for the six months ended April 30, 2015, and 2.25%, 3.43%, 3.26%, 2.64% and 2.70% for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
|
(d)
|
Annualized.
|
(e)
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense after waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.35% for the six months ended April 30, 2015, and 1.35%, 1.35%, 1.35%, 1.35%, and 1.35% for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
|
(f)
|
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole, without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.
|
|
Six Months
|
Period
|
||||||||||||||
|
Ended
|
Years Ended
|
Ended
|
|||||||||||||
|
April 30,
|
October 31,
|
October 31,
|
|||||||||||||
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012 (a)
|
||||||||||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||||
Class A:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net asset value per share, beginning of period
|
$
|
15.88
|
$
|
15.18
|
$
|
12.88
|
$
|
12.02
|
||||||||
Income from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net investment income
|
0.24
|
0.38
|
0.63
|
0.31
|
||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain
|
0.88
|
1.37
|
2.48
|
0.92
|
||||||||||||
Total from investment operations
|
1.12
|
1.75
|
3.11
|
1.23
|
||||||||||||
Redemption fees
|
—
|
0.01
|
0.04
|
—
|
||||||||||||
Less distributions:
|
||||||||||||||||
From net investment income
|
(0.27
|
)
|
(0.47
|
)
|
(0.61
|
)
|
(0.37
|
)
|
||||||||
From net realized gains
|
(0.69
|
)
|
(0.59
|
)
|
(0.24
|
)
|
—
|
|||||||||
Total distributions
|
(0.96
|
)
|
(1.06
|
)
|
(0.85
|
)
|
(0.37
|
)
|
||||||||
Net asset value per share, end of period
|
$
|
16.04
|
$
|
15.88
|
$
|
15.18
|
$
|
12.88
|
||||||||
Total return
|
7.24
|
%(b)
|
12.04
|
%
|
25.55
|
%
|
10.29
|
%(b)
|
||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of period (000)
|
$
|
2,109
|
$
|
865
|
$
|
917
|
$
|
257
|
||||||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets:
|
||||||||||||||||
Before waivers and/or expense reimbursements (c)
|
2.28
|
%(d)
|
2.50
|
%
|
3.68
|
%
|
3.83
|
%(d)
|
||||||||
After waivers and/or expense reimbursements (e)
|
1.60
|
%(d)
|
1.60
|
%
|
1.60
|
%
|
1.60
|
%(d)
|
||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
|
3.09
|
%(d)
|
2.41
|
%
|
3.72
|
%
|
2.71
|
%(d)
|
||||||||
Portfolio turnover (f)
|
23
|
%(b)
|
78
|
%
|
86
|
%
|
73
|
%
|
(a)
|
Class A commenced operations on December 30, 2011.
|
(b)
|
Not annualized.
|
(c)
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense before waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.28% for the six months ended April 30, 2015, 2.50% and 3.68% for the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 3.83% for the period ended October 31, 2012.
|
(d)
|
Annualized.
|
(e)
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense after waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.60% for the six months ended April 30, 2015, 1.60% and 1.60% for the years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 1.60% for the period ended October 31, 2012.
|
(f)
|
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole, without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.
|
Best Quarter
|
Worst Quarter
|
||
14.68%
|
9/30/09
|
(15.08)%
|
12/31/08
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(named Alpine Foundation Fund prior to July 31, 2014)
Institutional Class |
1 Year
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
Return Before Taxes
|
13.06%
|
10.30%
|
4.02%
|
5.78%
|
6/7/2001
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions
|
12.52%
|
9.93%
|
3.47%
|
5.14%
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
|
7.75%
|
8.17%
|
3.20%
|
4.65%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(named Alpine Foundation Fund prior to July 31, 2014) – Class A
|
6.53%
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
9.47%
|
12/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500® Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
13.68%
|
15.45%
|
7.67%
|
5.70%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custom Balanced Benchmark
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
10.61%
|
11.18%
|
6.77%
|
5.80%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lipper Equity Income Funds Average
|
9.79%
|
13.28%
|
7.23%
|
6.26%
|
|
(1)
|
The Fund’s annual total returns prior to July 31, 2014 as reflected in the bar chart and the table are the returns of the Fund that followed different investment strategies under the name “Alpine Foundation Fund.”
|
|
(2)
|
Effective July 31, 2014, the Fund’s primary benchmark against which it measures its performance, the Custom Balanced benchmark, was replaced with the S&P 500® Index. The Adviser believes that the S&P 500® Index more accurately reflects the investment strategies of the Fund.
|
Best Quarter
|
Worst Quarter
|
||
34.69%
|
6/30/09
|
(26.00)%
|
9/30/08
|
Alpine Transformations Fund – Institutional Class
|
1 Year
|
5 Years
|
Since Inception
|
Inception Date
|
Return Before Taxes
|
5.07%
|
14.36%
|
8.49%
|
12/31/2007
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions
|
4.01%
|
13.24%
|
7.70%
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
|
3.55%
|
11.35%
|
6.64%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund – Class A
|
(0.99)%
|
N/A
|
13.60%
|
12/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell 3000® Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
12.56%
|
15.63%
|
7.44%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500® Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
13.68%
|
15.45%
|
7.16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell 2000® Value Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
4.22%
|
14.26%
|
7.50%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Average
|
9.10%
|
14.57%
|
6.77%
|
|
Best Quarter
|
Worst Quarter
|
||
14.26%
|
9/30/09
|
(15.77)%
|
9/30/11
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund – Institutional Class
|
1 Year
|
5 Years
|
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
Return Before Taxes
|
9.88%
|
13.11%
|
14.53%
|
11/5/2008
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions
|
7.66%
|
11.14%
|
12.89%
|
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
|
6.91%
|
10.13%
|
11.54%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund – Class A
|
3.67%
|
N/A
|
14.82%
|
12/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500® Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
13.68%
|
15.45%
|
14.84%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dow Jones Industrial Average
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
10.07%
|
14.23%
|
13.59%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lipper Equity Income Funds Average
|
9.79%
|
13.28%
|
14.65%(1)
|
|
(1)
|
The Lipper Equity Income Funds Average reflects a return from November 6, 2008 to December 31, 2014.
|
1.
|
Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.
|
2.
|
Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration.
|
3.
|
Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:
|
REGISTRATION
|
VALID SIGNATURES
|
||
|
|
||
Corporate Accounts
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
ABC Corp.
|
ABC Corp. (by John Doe, Treasurer)
|
|
(2)
|
ABC Corp.
|
John Doe, Treasurer
|
|
(3)
|
ABC Corp.
|
|
|
|
c/o John Doe, Treasurer
|
John Doe
|
|
(4)
|
ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan
|
John Doe, Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust Accounts
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
ABC Trust
|
Jane B. Doe, Trustee
|
|
(2)
|
Jane B. Doe, Trustee
|
|
|
|
u/t/d/ 12/28/78
|
Jane B. Doe
|
|
|
|
|
|
Custodian or Estate Accounts
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
John B. Smith, Cust.
|
|
|
|
f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA
|
John B. Smith
|
|
(2)
|
John B. Smith
Estate of Jane Smith
|
John B. Smith, Executor
|
Class
|
|
Name and Address of Shareholder
|
|
Percent
Ownership |
|
|
Class
|
|
Name and Address of Shareholder
|
|
Percent
Ownership |
Class
|
|
Name and Address of Shareholder
|
|
Percent
Ownership |
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Funds and the Acquiring Fund
|
Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase a security, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, if as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer.
|
Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase a security, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, if as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer.
|
Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase a security, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, if as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer.
|
Same.
|
Underwriting. The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities except as it may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of securities in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and limitations.
|
Underwriting. The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities except as it may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of securities in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and limitations.
|
Underwriting. The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities except as it may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of securities in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and limitations.
|
Same.
|
Interests in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or Development Programs. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs.
|
Interests in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or Development Programs. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs.
|
Interests in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or Development Programs. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs.
|
Same.
|
Concentration in Any One Industry. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of U.S. Government securities.
|
Concentration in Any One Industry. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of U.S. Government securities.
|
Concentration in Any One Industry. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of U.S. Government securities.
|
Same. Note however this is non-fundamental policy so it may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ notice to shareholders.
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Funds and the Acquiring Fund
|
Short Sales. The Fund may effect short sales of securities subject to the limitation that a Fund may not sell a security short if, as a result of such sale, the current value of securities sold short by the Fund would exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets; provided, however, if the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (i.e., short sales “against the box”), this limitation is not applicable.
|
Short Sales. The Fund may effect short sales of securities subject to the limitation that a Fund may not sell a security short if, as a result of such sale, the current value of securities sold short by the Fund would exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets; provided, however, if the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (i.e., short sales “against the box”), this limitation is not applicable.
|
Short Sales. The Fund may effect short sales of securities subject to the limitation that a Fund may not sell a security short if, as a result of such sale, the current value of securities sold short by the Fund would exceed 10% of the Fund’s net assets; provided, however, if the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (i.e., short sales “against the box”), this limitation is not applicable.
|
Same.
|
Lending of Funds and Securities. The Fund may not make loans of money or securities, except to the extent that the Fund may lend money through the purchase of permitted investments, including repurchase agreements.
The Fund may not lend their portfolio securities, unless the borrower is a broker-dealer or financial institution that pledges and maintains collateral with the Fund consisting of cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government having a value at all times not less than 100% of the current market-value of the loaned securities, including accrued interest, provided that the aggregate amount of such loans shall not exceed 30% of the Fund’s net assets.
|
Lending of Funds and Securities. The Fund may not make loans of money or securities, except to the extent that the Fund may lend money through the purchase of permitted investments, including repurchase agreements.
The Fund may not lend their portfolio securities, unless the borrower is a broker-dealer or financial institution that pledges and maintains collateral with the Fund consisting of cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government having a value at all times not less than 100% of the current market-value of the loaned securities, including accrued interest, provided that the aggregate amount of such loans shall not exceed 30% of the Fund’s net assets.
|
Lending of Funds and Securities. The Fund may not make loans of money or securities, except to the extent that the Fund may lend money through the purchase of permitted investments, including repurchase agreements.
The Fund may not lend their portfolio securities, unless the borrower is a broker-dealer or financial institution that pledges and maintains collateral with the Fund consisting of cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government having a value at all times not less than 100% of the current market-value of the loaned securities, including accrued interest, provided that the aggregate amount of such loans shall not exceed 30% of the Fund’s net assets.
|
Same.
|
Commodities. The Fund, may not purchase, sell or invest in commodities, provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing and selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities or financial futures contracts and related options, including but not limited to, currency futures contracts and stock index futures.
Because most swaps are now considered interests under the Commodity Exchange Act and its rules, the Fund’s fundamental investment restriction related to investing in commodity interests is being interpreted to permit a Fund to engage in transactions in swaps and options on swaps related to financial instruments, such as securities, securities indexes, currencies and other financial instruments, but not to engage in transactions in swaps related to physical commodities, such as oil or metals.
|
Commodities. The Fund, may not purchase, sell or invest in commodities, provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing and selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities or financial futures contracts and related options, including but not limited to, currency futures contracts and stock index futures.
Because most swaps are now considered interests under the Commodity Exchange Act and its rules, the Fund’s fundamental investment restriction related to investing in commodity interests is being interpreted to permit a Fund to engage in transactions in swaps and options on swaps related to financial instruments, such as securities, securities indexes, currencies and other financial instruments, but not to engage in transactions in swaps related to physical commodities, such as oil or metals.
|
Commodities. The Fund, may not purchase, sell or invest in commodities, provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing and selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities or financial futures contracts and related options, including but not limited to, currency futures contracts and stock index futures.
Because most swaps are now considered interests under the Commodity Exchange Act and its rules, the Fund’s fundamental investment restriction related to investing in commodity interests is being interpreted to permit a Fund to engage in transactions in swaps and options on swaps related to financial instruments, such as securities, securities indexes, currencies and other financial instruments, but not to engage in transactions in swaps related to physical commodities, such as oil or metals.
|
Same.
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Funds and the Acquiring Fund
|
Real Estate. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in real estate, but may invest in securities of companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, including real estate investment trusts, and securities secured by real estate or interests therein and may hold and sell real estate acquired through default, liquidation or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result of a Fund’s ownership of such securities.
|
Real Estate. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in real estate, but may invest in securities of companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, including real estate investment trusts, and securities secured by real estate or interests therein and may hold and sell real estate acquired through default, liquidation or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result of a Fund’s ownership of such securities.
|
Real Estate. The Fund may not purchase, sell or invest in real estate, but may invest in securities of companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, including real estate investment trusts, and securities secured by real estate or interests therein and may hold and sell real estate acquired through default, liquidation or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result of a Fund’s ownership of such securities.
|
Same.
|
Borrowing, Senior Securities, Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may not issue senior securities as defined by the 1940 Act, except that the Fund may borrow money from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements (i) in the aggregate amount of up to 10% of its total assets to increase its holdings of portfolio securities and (ii) for temporary extraordinary or emergency purposes, subject to the overall limitation that total borrowings by the Fund (including borrowing through reverse repurchase agreements) may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (measured in each case at the time of borrowing).
|
Borrowing, Senior Securities, Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may not issue senior securities as defined by the 1940 Act, except that the Fund may borrow money from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements (i) in the aggregate amount of up to 10% of its total assets to increase its holdings of portfolio securities and (ii) for temporary extraordinary or emergency purposes, subject to the overall limitation that total borrowings by the Fund (including borrowing through reverse repurchase agreements) may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (measured in each case at the time of borrowing).
|
Borrowing, Senior Securities, Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may not issue senior securities as defined by the 1940 Act, except that the Fund may borrow money from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements (i) in the aggregate amount of up to 10% of its total assets to increase its holdings of portfolio securities and (ii) for temporary extraordinary or emergency purposes, subject to the overall limitation that total borrowings by the Fund (including borrowing through reverse repurchase agreements) may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (measured in each case at the time of borrowing).
|
Same.
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
(Target Fund)
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund)
|
Differences between the Target Funds and the Acquiring Fund
|
Pledging Assets. The Fund may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber their assets, except to secure permitted borrowings and to implement collateral and similar arrangements incident to permitted investment practices.
|
Pledging Assets. The Fund may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber their assets, except to secure permitted borrowings and to implement collateral and similar arrangements incident to permitted investment practices.
|
Pledging Assets. The Fund may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber their assets, except to secure permitted borrowings and to implement collateral and similar arrangements incident to permitted investment practices.
|
Same.
|
Investment Objective. N/A
|
Investment Objective. The investment objective is fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
|
Investment Objective. The investment objective is fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
|
The Transformations Fund’s and the Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives are fundamental while the Equity Income Fund’s are not.
|
Acquisition of the Assets and Liabilities of:
|
|
By and in Exchange for Shares of:
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund and
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
|
Alpine Rising Dividend Fund
|
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
PO Box 8061
Boston, MA 02266
1-888-785-5578
|
|
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
PO Box 8061
Boston, MA 02266
1-888-785-5578
|
1. General Information
|
|
|
S-2
|
|
2. Financial Statements and Other Incorporated Documents
|
|
|
S-2
|
|
3. Pro Forma Financial Information
|
|
|
S-3
|
|
Date and Filing Date
|
|
Accession Number
|
February 27, 2015
(filed on February 27, 2015) |
|
0001398344-15-001277
|
Year Ended/Filing Date
|
|
Accession Number
|
October 31, 2014
(filed on January 8, 2015) |
|
0000930413-15-000097
|
Period Ended/Filing Date
|
|
Accession Number
|
April 30, 2015
(filed on July 2, 2015) |
|
0000930413-15-002982
|
Acquiring Fund
|
Target Fund
|
Target Fund
|
||||||||||||||||||
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
Pro Forma Adjustments
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Investments, at value
|
$
|
9,286,343
|
$
|
80,941,370
|
$
|
9,583,708
|
-
|
$
|
99,811,421
|
|||||||||||
Other assets less liabilities
|
$
|
(855,193
|
)
|
$
|
(200,920
|
)
|
$
|
(542,298
|
)
|
-
|
$
|
(1,598,411
|
)
|
|||||||
Total Net assets
|
$
|
8,431,150
|
$
|
80,740,450
|
$
|
9,041,410
|
-
|
$
|
98,213,010
|
|||||||||||
Net Assets
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Institutional Class
|
$
|
6,322,122
|
$
|
80,333,745
|
$
|
8,871,753
|
-
|
$
|
95,527,620
|
|||||||||||
Class A
|
$
|
2,109,028
|
$
|
406,705
|
$
|
169,657
|
-
|
$
|
2,685,390
|
|||||||||||
Total Net assets
|
$
|
8,431,150
|
$
|
80,740,450
|
$
|
9,041,410
|
-
|
$
|
98,213,010
|
|||||||||||
Shares Outstanding
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Institutional Class
|
394,134
|
5,671,412
|
590,828
|
(700,800
|
)(a)
|
5,955,574
|
||||||||||||||
Class A
|
131,524
|
28,786
|
11,411
|
(4,264
|
)(a)
|
167,457
|
||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value per Share
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Institutional Class
|
16.04
|
14.16
|
15.02
|
16.04
|
||||||||||||||||
Class A
|
16.04
|
14.13
|
14.87
|
16.04
|
(a)
|
Adjustment to reflect increase in shares based on Acquiring Fund’s NAV
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
Pro Forma Adjustments
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Investment Income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest and dividend income
|
$
|
203,884
|
$
|
2,148,563
|
$
|
84,666
|
-
|
$
|
2,437,113
|
|||||||||||
Total Investment Income
|
203,884
|
2,148,563
|
84,666
|
2,437,113
|
||||||||||||||||
Expenses
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory fee
|
58,967
|
803,787
|
81,373
|
-
|
944,127
|
|||||||||||||||
Registration and filing fees
|
18,764
|
32,718
|
25,387
|
(58,105
|
)(a)
|
18,764
|
||||||||||||||
Audit and tax fees
|
19,970
|
36,100
|
20,610
|
(50,186
|
)(a)
|
26,494
|
||||||||||||||
Other fees
|
4,436
|
17,427
|
4,665
|
(19,678
|
)(a)
|
6,850
|
||||||||||||||
Transfer agent fees
|
7,807
|
10,866
|
5,381
|
-
|
24,054
|
|||||||||||||||
Accounting and custody fees
|
4,891
|
11,378
|
5,912
|
-
|
22,181
|
|||||||||||||||
Printing and mailing fees
|
2,366
|
15,744
|
2,331
|
(2,862
|
)(a)
|
17,579
|
||||||||||||||
Legal fees
|
1,189
|
16,805
|
2,125
|
-
|
20,119
|
|||||||||||||||
Trustee fees
|
1,151
|
14,809
|
1,664
|
-
|
17,624
|
|||||||||||||||
Distribution fees - Class A
|
3,421
|
6,916
|
402
|
-
|
10,739
|
|||||||||||||||
Administration fee
|
1,474
|
20,933
|
2,124
|
(4,516
|
)(b)
|
20,015
|
||||||||||||||
Interest
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
-
|
17
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses before reductions
|
124,436
|
987,483
|
151,991
|
(135,346
|
)
|
1,128,564
|
||||||||||||||
Less: Fee waivers and /or expense reimbursements
|
(41,435
|
)
|
-
|
(41,718
|
)
|
83,153
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Net expenses
|
83,001
|
987,483
|
110,273
|
(52,193
|
)
|
1,128,564
|
||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)
|
120,883
|
1,161,080
|
(25,607
|
)
|
52,193
|
1,308,549
|
||||||||||||||
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Investments
|
200,818
|
6,306,993
|
140,788
|
-
|
6,648,599
|
|||||||||||||||
Foreign currency transactions
|
152
|
238
|
28
|
-
|
418
|
|||||||||||||||
Written option contracts
|
-
|
5,129
|
-
|
5,129
|
||||||||||||||||
Investments
|
278,754
|
129,834
|
495,369
|
-
|
903,957
|
|||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translations
|
287
|
5
|
64
|
356
|
||||||||||||||||
Written option contracts
|
-
|
3,558
|
-
|
-
|
3,558
|
|||||||||||||||
Increase in net assets from operations.
|
$
|
600,894
|
$
|
7,606,837
|
$
|
610,642
|
$
|
52,193
|
$
|
8,870,566
|
(a) | Decrease in expenses based on elimination of redundant fees for the Pro Forma Combined Fund. |
(b) | To restate administration fees using rates for the Pro Forma Combined Fund at the combined average daily net assets of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. |
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund (Acquiring Fund)
|
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stocks-93.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aerospace & Defense-5.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northrop Grumman Corp.
|
1,000
|
$ 154,040
|
-
|
$ -
|
-
|
$ -
|
1,000
|
$ 154,040
|
Precision Castparts Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
1,240,140
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
1,240,140
|
Raytheon Co.
|
1,000
|
104,000
|
16,000
|
1,664,000
|
-
|
-
|
17,000
|
1,768,000
|
United Technologies Corp.
|
1,200
|
136,500
|
16,000
|
1,820,000
|
950
|
108,063
|
18,150
|
2,064,563
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
394,540
|
|
4,724,140
|
|
108,063
|
|
5,226,743
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auto Components-0.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BorgWarner, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
7,000
|
414,400
|
-
|
-
|
7,000
|
414,400
|
GKN PLC
|
14,000
|
75,494
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
75,494
|
Magna International, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,100
|
105,903
|
2,100
|
105,903
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,494
|
|
414,400
|
|
105,903
|
|
595,797
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobiles-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thor Industries, Inc.
|
1,500
|
90,255
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,500
|
90,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banks-2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,500
|
73,125
|
2,500
|
73,125
|
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
8,500
|
453,390
|
-
|
-
|
8,500
|
453,390
|
Regions Financial Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11,000
|
108,130
|
11,000
|
108,130
|
Signature Bank (a)
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
670,450
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
670,450
|
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
458,650
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
458,650
|
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
8,000
|
296,160
|
-
|
-
|
8,000
|
296,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1,878,650
|
|
181,255
|
|
2,059,905
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beverages-1.0%
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV-SP ADR
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
700
|
84,028
|
700
|
84,028
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Diageo PLC-SP ADR
|
-
|
-
|
7,000
|
777,140
|
-
|
-
|
7,000
|
777,140
|
PepsiCo, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,600
|
152,192
|
1,600
|
152,192
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
777,140
|
|
236,220
|
|
1,013,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biotechnology-2.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amgen, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
631,640
|
850
|
134,224
|
4,850
|
765,864
|
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (a)
|
3,000
|
72,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
72,000
|
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
904,590
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
904,590
|
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)
|
5,000
|
55,500
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
55,500
|
Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)
|
3,000
|
107,070
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
107,070
|
Receptos, Inc. (a)
|
1,500
|
221,010
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,500
|
221,010
|
Verastem, Inc. (a)
|
6,000
|
49,800
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
49,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
505,380
|
|
1,536,230
|
|
134,224
|
|
2,175,834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Markets-2.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
501,120
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
501,120
|
Apollo Global Management LLC-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
38,000
|
868,680
|
-
|
-
|
38,000
|
868,680
|
Fortress Investment Group LLC-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,500
|
85,260
|
10,500
|
85,260
|
JMP Group LLC
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13,842
|
106,583
|
13,842
|
106,583
|
Lazard, Ltd.-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,200
|
116,666
|
2,200
|
116,666
|
NorthStar Asset Management Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
63,090
|
3,000
|
63,090
|
Oaktree Capital Group LLC
|
-
|
-
|
15,000
|
802,200
|
-
|
-
|
15,000
|
802,200
|
Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8,000
|
103,280
|
8,000
|
103,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,172,000
|
|
474,879
|
|
2,646,879
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chemicals-4.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
800
|
114,744
|
800
|
114,744
|
Clariant AG (a)
|
10,000
|
220,805
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
220,805
|
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
1,317,600
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
1,317,600
|
Eastman Chemical Co.
|
2,500
|
190,550
|
16,000
|
1,219,520
|
-
|
-
|
18,500
|
1,410,070
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
688,500
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
688,500
|
PPG Industries, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
600
|
132,936
|
600
|
132,936
|
Westlake Chemical Corp.
|
1,500
|
116,970
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,500
|
116,970
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
528,325
|
|
3,225,620
|
|
247,680
|
|
4,001,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Serivices-0.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RR Donnelley & Sons Co.
|
9,000
|
167,580
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
167,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Services & Supplies-1.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deluxe Corp.
|
5,000
|
323,750
|
20,000
|
1,295,000
|
-
|
-
|
25,000
|
1,618,750
|
Knoll, Inc.
|
3,000
|
68,310
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
68,310
|
McGrath RentCorp
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,700
|
89,397
|
2,700
|
89,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
392,060
|
|
1,295,000
|
|
89,397
|
|
1,776,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communications Equipment-2.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cisco Systems, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,700
|
106,671
|
3,700
|
106,671
|
Juniper Networks, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
31,500
|
832,545
|
-
|
-
|
31,500
|
832,545
|
QUALCOMM, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
20,000
|
1,360,000
|
1,350
|
91,800
|
21,350
|
1,451,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,192,545
|
|
198,471
|
|
2,391,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction & Engineering-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aecon Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
54,331
|
5,000
|
54,331
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Finance-2.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital One Financial Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
808,500
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
808,500
|
Discover Financial Services
|
-
|
-
|
21,000
|
1,217,370
|
1,800
|
104,346
|
22,800
|
1,321,716
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,025,870
|
|
104,346
|
|
2,130,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Containers & Packaging-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DS Smith PLC
|
15,000
|
80,541
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15,000
|
80,541
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Distributors-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pool Corp.
|
2,000
|
129,780
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
129,780
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diversified Financial Services-3.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank of America Corp.
|
10,000
|
159,300
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
159,300
|
Citigroup, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,100
|
111,972
|
2,100
|
111,972
|
CME Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
8,500
|
772,735
|
-
|
-
|
8,500
|
772,735
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
|
-
|
-
|
33,500
|
2,119,210
|
-
|
-
|
33,500
|
2,119,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159,300
|
|
2,891,945
|
|
111,972
|
|
3,163,217
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diversified Telecommunication Services-3.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AT&T, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
43,000
|
1,489,520
|
-
|
-
|
43,000
|
1,489,520
|
Verizon Communications, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
27,000
|
1,361,880
|
2,000
|
100,880
|
29,000
|
1,462,760
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,851,400
|
|
100,880
|
|
2,952,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electrical Equipment-0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eaton Corp. PLC
|
2,500
|
171,825
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,500
|
171,825
|
Generac Holdings, Inc. (a)
|
5,000
|
208,450
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
208,450
|
Hydrogenics Corp. (a)
|
5,000
|
60,800
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
60,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
441,075
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
441,075
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oxford Instruments PLC
|
3,500
|
49,964
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,500
|
49,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy Equipment & Services-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian Energy Services & Technology Corp.
|
10,000
|
50,477
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
50,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electric Utilities-1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
11,000
|
625,570
|
-
|
-
|
11,000
|
625,570
|
Duke Energy Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
465,420
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
465,420
|
Eversource Energy
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,300
|
63,388
|
1,300
|
63,388
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
61,200
|
1,000
|
61,200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1,090,990
|
|
124,588
|
|
1,215,578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE Connectivity, Ltd.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,900
|
126,445
|
1,900
|
126,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy Equipment & Services-0.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bristow Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,800
|
111,834
|
1,800
|
111,834
|
Schlumberger, Ltd.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
94,610
|
1,000
|
94,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
206,444
|
|
206,444
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food & Staples Retailing-3.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CVS Health Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
1,390,060
|
1,300
|
129,077
|
15,300
|
1,519,137
|
Safeway, Inc.-CVR (a)
|
-
|
-
|
50,000
|
26,592
|
-
|
-
|
50,000
|
26,592
|
The Andersons, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
85,380
|
2,000
|
85,380
|
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
17,000
|
1,409,810
|
1,000
|
82,930
|
18,000
|
1,492,740
|
Weis Markets, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
399,150
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
399,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
3,225,612
|
|
297,387
|
|
3,522,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food Products-0.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pinnacle Foods, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
405,500
|
2,000
|
81,100
|
12,000
|
486,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas Utilities-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Atmos Energy Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,200
|
64,800
|
1,200
|
64,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Care Equipment & Supplies-3.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Becton, Dickinson & Co.
|
-
|
-
|
8,600
|
1,211,482
|
1,050
|
147,913
|
9,650
|
1,359,395
|
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (a)
|
2,000
|
253,300
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
253,300
|
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)
|
100
|
49,598
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
100
|
49,598
|
Natus Medical, Inc. (a)
|
2,000
|
75,420
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
75,420
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
OraSure Technologies, Inc. (a)
|
10,000
|
63,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
63,000
|
Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc. (a)
|
6,000
|
184,200
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,000
|
184,200
|
Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
12,000
|
1,318,080
|
-
|
-
|
12,000
|
1,318,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,518
|
|
2,529,562
|
|
147,913
|
|
3,302,993
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Care Providers & Services-2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aetna, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
850
|
90,839
|
850
|
90,839
|
AmerisourceBergen Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
800
|
91,440
|
800
|
91,440
|
Cardinal Health, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
759,060
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
759,060
|
Express Scripts Holding Co. (a)
|
1,400
|
120,960
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,400
|
120,960
|
McKesson Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
893,600
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
893,600
|
Select Medical Holdings Corp.
|
6,923
|
100,730
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,923
|
100,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
221,690
|
|
1,652,660
|
|
182,279
|
|
2,056,629
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure-0.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
McDonald's Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
8,000
|
772,400
|
-
|
-
|
8,000
|
772,400
|
Yum! Brands, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
85,960
|
1,000
|
85,960
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
772,400
|
|
85,960
|
|
858,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Household Durables-0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Garmin, Ltd.
|
2,000
|
90,380
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
90,380
|
Jarden Corp. (a)
|
4,500
|
230,310
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,500
|
230,310
|
Taylor Morrison Home Corp.-Class A (a)
|
5,000
|
92,600
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
92,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
413,290
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
413,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Household Products-1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
900
|
122,958
|
900
|
122,958
|
The Procter & Gamble Co.
|
-
|
-
|
12,500
|
993,875
|
1,400
|
111,314
|
13,900
|
1,105,189
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
993,875
|
|
234,272
|
|
1,228,147
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Industrial Conglomerates-0.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3M Co.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
650
|
101,654
|
650
|
101,654
|
General Electric Co.
|
-
|
-
|
20,000
|
541,600
|
-
|
-
|
20,000
|
541,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
541,600
|
|
101,654
|
|
643,254
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance-5.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACE, Ltd.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
106,990
|
1,000
|
106,990
|
MetLife, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
21,500
|
1,102,735
|
-
|
-
|
21,500
|
1,102,735
|
Prudential Financial, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
1,468,800
|
1,300
|
106,080
|
19,300
|
1,574,880
|
The Chubb Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
9,105
|
895,477
|
-
|
-
|
9,105
|
895,477
|
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
36,000
|
1,467,720
|
-
|
-
|
36,000
|
1,467,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
4,934,732
|
|
213,070
|
|
5,147,802
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internet & Catalog Retail-0.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HSN, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,800
|
112,356
|
1,800
|
112,356
|
The Priceline Group, Inc. (a)
|
300
|
371,343
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
300
|
371,343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
371,343
|
|
-
|
|
112,356
|
|
483,699
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internet Software & Services-0.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actua Corp. (a)
|
3,000
|
43,410
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
43,410
|
Google, Inc.-Class A (a)
|
200
|
109,754
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
200
|
109,754
|
Google, Inc.-Class C (a)
|
201
|
107,763
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
201
|
107,763
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
260,927
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
260,927
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IT Services-1.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accenture PLC-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
833,850
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
833,850
|
International Business Machines Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
856,450
|
500
|
85,645
|
5,500
|
942,095
|
Visa, Inc.-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,600
|
105,680
|
1,600
|
105,680
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1,690,300
|
|
191,325
|
|
1,881,625
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Leisure Equipment & Products-0.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Polaris Industries, Inc.
|
1,000
|
136,960
|
4,000
|
547,840
|
750
|
102,720
|
5,750
|
787,520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life Sciences Tools & Services-0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,500
|
103,425
|
2,500
|
103,425
|
Illumina, Inc. (a)
|
700
|
128,975
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
700
|
128,975
|
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
|
1,300
|
163,384
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,300
|
163,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
292,359
|
|
-
|
|
103,425
|
|
395,784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Machinery-0.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dover Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,100
|
83,292
|
1,100
|
83,292
|
Navistar International Corp. (a)
|
1,500
|
44,940
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,500
|
44,940
|
Snap-on, Inc.
|
3,000
|
448,650
|
-
|
-
|
600
|
89,730
|
3,600
|
538,380
|
The Middleby Corp. (a)
|
1,000
|
101,340
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
101,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
594,930
|
|
-
|
|
173,022
|
|
767,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Media-4.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CBS Corp.-Class B
|
-
|
-
|
26,000
|
1,615,380
|
2,100
|
130,473
|
28,100
|
1,745,853
|
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
19,000
|
809,970
|
-
|
-
|
19,000
|
809,970
|
Comcast Corp.-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
17,000
|
981,920
|
2,200
|
127,072
|
19,200
|
1,108,992
|
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
500
|
77,760
|
500
|
77,760
|
Time Warner, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
422,050
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
422,050
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
3,829,320
|
|
335,305
|
|
4,164,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metals & Mining-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
80,370
|
1,000
|
80,370
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-Utilities-1.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CMS Energy Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
67,860
|
2,000
|
67,860
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
687,680
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
687,680
|
Xcel Energy, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
20,200
|
684,982
|
-
|
-
|
20,200
|
684,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1,372,662
|
|
67,860
|
|
1,440,522
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office Electronics-0.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xerox Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
35,000
|
402,500
|
-
|
-
|
35,000
|
402,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels-5.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.
|
12,000
|
182,400
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12,000
|
182,400
|
Apache Corp.
|
372
|
25,445
|
13,000
|
889,200
|
-
|
-
|
13,372
|
914,645
|
Chevron Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
9,000
|
999,540
|
900
|
99,954
|
9,900
|
1,099,494
|
Devon Energy Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,600
|
109,136
|
1,600
|
109,136
|
HollyFrontier Corp.
|
1,000
|
38,780
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
38,780
|
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
21,000
|
901,950
|
-
|
-
|
21,000
|
901,950
|
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,200
|
96,120
|
1,200
|
96,120
|
Scorpio Tankers, Inc.
|
14,000
|
130,760
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
130,760
|
Stone Energy Corp. (a)
|
3,000
|
51,210
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
51,210
|
Suncor Energy, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,600
|
84,760
|
2,600
|
84,760
|
Teekay LNG Partners LP
|
-
|
-
|
28,000
|
1,103,760
|
-
|
-
|
28,000
|
1,103,760
|
The Williams Cos., Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
255,950
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
255,950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
428,595
|
|
4,150,400
|
|
389,970
|
|
4,968,965
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pharmaceuticals-6.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abbott Laboratories
|
-
|
-
|
9,200
|
427,064
|
3,200
|
148,544
|
12,400
|
575,608
|
AbbVie, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,500
|
96,990
|
1,500
|
96,990
|
Actavis PLC (a)
|
400
|
113,144
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
400
|
113,144
|
Aratana Therapeutics, Inc. (a)
|
5,000
|
64,550
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
64,550
|
GlaxoSmithKline PLC-ADR
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
461,500
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
461,500
|
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (a)
|
500
|
89,350
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
500
|
89,350
|
Johnson & Johnson
|
-
|
-
|
24,000
|
2,380,800
|
1,400
|
138,880
|
25,400
|
2,519,680
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Mallinckrodt PLC (a)
|
2,000
|
226,360
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
226,360
|
Mylan NV (a)
|
3,000
|
216,780
|
-
|
-
|
500
|
36,130
|
3,500
|
252,910
|
Perrigo Co. PLC
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
400
|
73,312
|
400
|
73,312
|
Pfizer, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
41,000
|
1,391,130
|
-
|
-
|
41,000
|
1,391,130
|
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.-SP ADR
|
-
|
-
|
8,000
|
483,360
|
1,500
|
90,630
|
9,500
|
573,990
|
TherapeuticsMD, Inc. (a)
|
14,000
|
90,720
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
90,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
800,904
|
|
5,143,854
|
|
584,486
|
|
6,529,244
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts-3.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Tower Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
94,530
|
1,000
|
94,530
|
Boston Properties, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
396,930
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
396,930
|
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
9,900
|
627,759
|
-
|
-
|
9,900
|
627,759
|
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
40,000
|
805,600
|
-
|
-
|
40,000
|
805,600
|
NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,500
|
84,420
|
4,500
|
84,420
|
Simon Property Group, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
6,300
|
1,143,387
|
-
|
-
|
6,300
|
1,143,387
|
Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,300
|
110,682
|
4,300
|
110,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,973,676
|
|
289,632
|
|
3,263,308
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Management & Development-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
600
|
99,636
|
600
|
99,636
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Road & Rail-1.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMERCO
|
700
|
225,428
|
2,500
|
805,100
|
-
|
-
|
3,200
|
1,030,528
|
Marten Transport, Ltd.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
89,040
|
4,000
|
89,040
|
Ryder System, Inc.
|
2,000
|
190,720
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
190,720
|
Union Pacific Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,000
|
106,230
|
1,000
|
106,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
416,148
|
|
805,100
|
|
195,270
|
|
1,416,518
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment-2.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Applied Materials, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
20,000
|
395,800
|
4,500
|
89,055
|
24,500
|
484,855
|
Avago Technologies, Ltd.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,100
|
128,568
|
1,100
|
128,568
|
Intel Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
32,000
|
1,041,600
|
-
|
-
|
32,000
|
1,041,600
|
Linear Technology Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
24,000
|
1,107,120
|
1,600
|
73,808
|
25,600
|
1,180,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2,544,520
|
|
291,431
|
|
2,835,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software-1.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activision Blizzard, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,500
|
79,852
|
3,500
|
79,852
|
Callidus Software, Inc. (a)
|
15,000
|
185,250
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15,000
|
185,250
|
Microsoft Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,400
|
116,736
|
2,400
|
116,736
|
Mitek Systems, Inc. (a)
|
10,000
|
33,800
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
33,800
|
Oracle Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,500
|
109,050
|
2,500
|
109,050
|
Symantec Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
448,650
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
448,650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
219,050
|
|
448,650
|
|
305,638
|
|
973,338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Specialty Retail-1.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TJX Cos., Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
1,161,720
|
-
|
-
|
18,000
|
1,161,720
|
GameStop Corp.-Class A
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,300
|
88,642
|
2,300
|
88,642
|
Tiffany & Co.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
700
|
61,236
|
700
|
61,236
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1,161,720
|
|
149,878
|
|
1,311,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology, Hardware, Storage & Peripherals-4.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apple, Inc.
|
1,400
|
175,210
|
14,000
|
1,752,100
|
2,500
|
312,875
|
17,900
|
2,240,185
|
Cray, Inc. (a)
|
7,758
|
217,922
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7,758
|
217,922
|
EMC Corp.
|
|
|
55,500
|
1,493,505
|
4,500
|
121,095
|
60,000
|
1,614,600
|
Synaptics, Inc. (a)
|
2,500
|
211,800
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,500
|
211,800
|
Western Digital Corp.
|
|
|
4,000
|
390,960
|
1,100
|
107,514
|
5,100
|
498,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
604,932
|
|
3,636,565
|
|
541,484
|
|
4,782,981
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods-1.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PVH Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
413,400
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
413,400
|
VF Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
13,000
|
941,590
|
1,400
|
101,402
|
14,400
|
1,042,992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
1,354,990
|
|
101,402
|
|
1,456,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Territorial Bancorp, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,600
|
83,160
|
3,600
|
83,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading Companies & Distributors-3.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ashtead Group PLC
|
5,000
|
86,421
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,000
|
86,421
|
GATX Corp.
|
-
|
-
|
19,000
|
1,033,600
|
-
|
-
|
19,000
|
1,033,600
|
United Rentals, Inc. (a)
|
1,500
|
144,870
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,500
|
144,870
|
Watsco, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
3,500
|
421,015
|
-
|
-
|
3,500
|
421,015
|
WW Grainger, Inc.
|
-
|
-
|
5,500
|
1,366,365
|
-
|
-
|
5,500
|
1,366,365
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
231,291
|
|
2,820,980
|
|
-
|
|
3,052,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless Telecommunication Services-0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vodafone Group PLC-SP ADR
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,200
|
77,440
|
2,200
|
77,440
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Common Stocks (Cost $73,964,333)
|
|
8,682,708
|
|
75,014,948
|
|
8,289,343
|
|
91,986,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
|
|
Principal
|
|
Principal
|
|
Principal
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonds-3.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Bonds-3.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.250%, 11/15/2028
|
$ -
|
-
|
$ 2,300,000
|
3,092,422
|
-
|
-
|
$ 2,300,000
|
3,092,422
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Bonds (Cost $2,599,421)
|
|
-
|
|
3,092,422
|
|
|
|
3,092,422
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments-4.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Street Eurodollar Time Deposit, 0.01%
|
901,000
|
901,000
|
2,834,000
|
2,834,000
|
997,000
|
997,000
|
4,732,000
|
4,732,000
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Equity Income Fund (Target Fund)
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
(Acquiring Fund) |
Pro Forma Combined Fund
|
||||
Security Description
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Shares
|
Value
|
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $4,732,000)
|
|
901,000
|
|
2,834,000
|
|
997,000
|
|
4,732,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments (Cost $81,295,754)-101.6%
|
|
9,583,708
|
|
80,941,370
|
|
9,286,343
|
|
99,811,421
|
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets-(1.6)%
|
|
(542,298)
|
|
(200,920)
|
|
(855,193)
|
|
(1,598,411)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL NET ASSETS 100.0%
|
|
9,041,410
|
|
80,740,450
|
|
8,431,150
|
|
98,213,010
|
(1) | Declaration of Trust – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 21, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(2) | By-Laws – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 21, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(3) | None. |
(4) | Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (included as Appendix B to the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in this Registration Statement). |
(5) | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, incorporated by reference to the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. |
(6) | Investment Advisory Agreement, as amended, by and between Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC and the Registrant– previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Registration Statement filed on October 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(7) | Form of Distribution Agreement with Quasar Distributors, LLC dated December 16, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(8) | None. |
(9) | Master Custody and Fund Accounting Agreement dated November 18, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(10) | Distribution Plan of Class A Shares of the Alpine Series Trust – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registration Statement filed on October 24, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.25378 and 811-05684) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 2011. |
(11) | Opinion and consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to the legality of the securities being registered is filed herewith. |
(12) | Forms of Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus are filed herewith. |
(13) | (a) | Administration Agreement |
(i)
|
Administration Agreement dated November 18, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
(ii)
|
Amendment No. 1 to the Administration Agreement – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
(b) | Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement |
(i)
|
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated December 8, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
(ii)
|
Amendment No. 1 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
(c) | Expense Limitation Agreement |
(i)
|
Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement dated February 28, 2015 is filed herewith.
|
(d) | Credit Agreements |
(i)
|
Form of Special Custody and Pledge Agreement dated December 1, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
(ii) | Form of New York Lending Agreement dated December 1, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(14) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith. |
(15) | Not applicable. |
(16) | (a) | Power of Attorney – dated December 16, 2010 – previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(17) | (a) | Forms of Proxy Card are filed herewith. |
By:
|
/s/ Samuel A. Lieber
|
|
|
Samuel A. Lieber, President
|
Signature
|
Title
|
||
/s/ Samuel A. Lieber
|
President and Trustee
|
||
Samuel A. Lieber
|
|||
/s/ Ronald G. Palmer, Jr.
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
||
Ronald G. Palmer, Jr.
|
|||
Eleanor T.M. Hoagland**
|
Trustee
|
||
Eleanor T.M. Hoagland
|
|||
H. Guy Leibler*
|
Trustee
|
||
H. Guy Leibler
|
|||
Jeffrey E. Wacksman*
|
Trustee
|
||
Jeffrey E. Wacksman
|
|||
James A. Jacobson*
|
Trustee
|
||
James A. Jacobson
|
|||
*By:
|
/s/ Samuel A. Lieber
|
||
Samuel A. Lieber
Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to
Power of Attorney
|
* | Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to Power of Attorney previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference |
** | Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to Power of Attorney dated December 19, 2012, previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. |
EXHIBIT NO.
|
EXHIBITS
|
(11)
|
Opinion and consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
|
(12)
|
Forms of Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
|
(13) (c)(i)
|
Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement dated February 28, 2015
|
(14)
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
|
(17) (a)
|
Forms of Proxy Card.
|
RE: | Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund1, a series of Alpine Series Trust |
(a) | The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, as filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on June 5, 2001, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Trust of the Trust, as filed with the office of the Secretary of State on October 14, 2011 (as amended, the "Certificate of Trust"); |
(b) | The Establishment and Designation of Series and Classes and Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated as of September 27, 2011 (the "Amendment"), executed by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust; |
(c) | The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of March 13, 2013, made by the Trustees named therein (together with the Amendment, the "Trust Instrument"); |
(d) | The By-Laws of the Trust adopted and approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") on June 4, 2001 (as in effect on the date hereof, the "By-Laws"); |
(e) | The Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-14 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof; |
(f) | A form of an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to be entered into by and between the Trust on behalf of its Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund series (the "Series"), the Trust on behalf of its Alpine Equity Income Fund series, and Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC (the " Equity Income Fund Agreement"); |
(g) | A form of an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to be entered into by and between the Trust on behalf of the Series, the Trust on behalf of its Alpine Transformations Fund series, and Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC (the "Transformations Fund Agreement" and together with the Equity Income Agreement, the “Agreements”); |
(h) | Copies of certain resolutions (the "Resolutions") adopted by the Board with respect to the approval of the Agreements, including the issuance pursuant to the Agreements of certain shares of beneficial interest of the Series (each a "Share," and collectively, the "Shares"); |
(i) | A Certification of Changes to Names of Series of the Trust signed by the Secretary of the Trust on August 4, 2015; |
(j) | A certificate of an officer of the Trust with respect to certain matters, dated the date hereof; and |
(k) | A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated August 13, 2015, obtained from the Secretary of State. |
|
Very truly yours,
|
|
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
|
· | the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of the Assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities of the Target Fund, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of Acquiring Fund Shares in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all pursuant to the Agreement, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; |
· | no gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of the Assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities, or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares by the Target Fund to its shareholders in liquidation except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized with respect to contracts subject to Section 1256 of the Code, (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized as a result of the closing of the Target Fund’s taxable year or upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a nonrecognition transaction under the Code; |
· | the basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the Assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the basis of such Assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the Closing increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer; |
· | the holding periods in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the Assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, other than any Asset with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized in the Reorganization, will include the periods during which the respective Assets were held by the Target Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an Asset); |
· | no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon receipt of the Assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities; |
· | no gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund Shareholders upon the exchange of their Target Fund Shares solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares as part of the Reorganization; |
· | the aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares that each Target Fund Shareholder receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of his or her Target Fund Shares exchanged therefor; and |
· | a Target Fund Shareholder’s holding period for his or her Acquiring Fund Shares received in the Reorganization will include the period for which he or she held the Target Fund Shares exchanged therefor, provided that he or she held the Target Fund Shares as capital assets on the date of the exchange. |
· | the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of the Assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities of the Target Fund, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of Acquiring Fund Shares in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all pursuant to the Agreement, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; |
· | no gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of the Assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities, or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares by the Target Fund to its shareholders in liquidation except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized with respect to contracts subject to Section 1256 of the Code, (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized as a result of the closing of the Target Fund’s taxable year or upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a nonrecognition transaction under the Code; |
· | the basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the Assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the basis of such Assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the Closing increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer; |
· | the holding periods in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the Assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, other than any Asset with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized in the Reorganization, will include the periods during which the respective Assets were held by the Target Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an Asset); |
· | no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon receipt of the Assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities; |
· | no gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund Shareholders upon the exchange of their Target Fund Shares solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares as part of the Reorganization; |
· | the aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares that each Target Fund Shareholder receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of his or her Target Fund Shares exchanged therefor; and |
· | a Target Fund Shareholder’s holding period for his or her Acquiring Fund Shares received in the Reorganization will include the period for which he or she held the Target Fund Shares exchanged therefor, provided that he or she held the Target Fund Shares as capital assets on the date of the exchange. |
1. | The Adviser agrees to pay, waive or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Funds (including any fees or expense reimbursements payable to the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses of the Funds) ("Operating Expenses"), which exceed the aggregate per annum rate (listed on Schedule A) of the Funds' average daily net assets (the "Expense Limitation"). |
2. | The Expense Limitation will remain in effect until at least March 1, 2016 and is subject to annual approval by the Board unless and until the Board of Trustees of the Trust approves its modification or termination; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Expense Limitation will terminate in the event that the investment advisory agreement in effect between the Trust on behalf of the Funds and the Adviser (or an affiliate of the Adviser) is terminated by the Trust without the consent of the Adviser or in the event such agreement terminates due to an assignment and a new investment advisory agreement with the Adviser (or an affiliate of the Adviser) does not become effective upon such termination. |
3. | The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, agrees to carry forward for a period not to exceed three (3) years from the date such expense is paid, waived or absorbed by the Adviser, and to reimburse the Adviser out of assets belonging to the Funds for, any Operating Expenses of the Funds in excess of the Expense Limitation that are paid or assumed by the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement. Such reimbursement will be made as promptly as possible, and to the maximum extent permissible, without causing the Operating Expenses of the Funds for any year to exceed the Expense Limitation. This agreement of the Trust to reimburse the Adviser for excess expenses of the Funds paid, waived or absorbed by the Adviser shall terminate in the event the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser terminates any agreement now in effect between the Trust on behalf of the Funds and the Adviser (or any affiliate of the Adviser) without the consent of the Trust (other than a termination resulting from an assignment). |
4. | This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent the applicable law of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. |
5. | The Declaration of Trust states and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is not executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as individuals, and the obligations of the Trust under this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Funds. |
6. | This Agreement `constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters described herein. |
By:
|
/s/ Ronald G. Palmer, Jr.
|
|
Ronald G. Palmer, Jr.
|
||
Title:
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
By:
|
/s/ Samuel A. Lieber
|
|
Samuel A. Lieber
|
||
Title:
|
Chairman/CEO
|
SERIES
|
CLASS
|
EXPENSE CAP
|
Alpine Foundation Fund
|
Institutional
|
1.35%
|
Class A
|
1.60%
|
|
Alpine Dynamic Dividend Fund
|
Institutional
|
1.35%
|
Class A
|
1.60%
|
|
Alpine Financial Services Fund
|
Institutional
|
1.35%
|
Class A
|
1.60%
|
|
Alpine Innovators Fund
|
Institutional
|
1.35%
|
Class A
|
1.60%
|
|
Alpine Transformations Fund
|
Institutional
|
1.35%
|
Class A
|
1.60%
|
|
Alpine Accelerating Dividend Fund
|
Institutional
|
1.35%
|
Class A
|
1.60%
|
'!A8VME="!B96=I;CTB[[N_(B!I9#TB5S5-,$UP0V5H:4AZ
M ?/EBK&_)?YC^;/-EMI
MNJV7DEX/+FI-5-5EU6T+I")#&\IMN E;B5;]VIY-BK(//7FO_"GEU]86Q?4Y
M/K-M9P622I 9);N411_O'#*@Y'?D,50?EGSO>ZCYF;RKK^@S^6_,!MC?6T$E
MQ#>P7%LL@B=HKB"B\XW/QQ.JMBJ5^5?S(\V^9X[74-,\DO\ X>NKE[?]*R:K
M:*R)#.8)I3;%!(?39';TZ\G_ &?M8JR/RIYIB\PSZU:"U>ROM"U.72KNVE<,
M6* -%.I '[JXC;FFV*L9O/S= TB/4=,T&;4?KOF&3RSHL7UF* 7DD86EE=
M62*!I(I(U5N3?#BJ.U'S]K^A^3M;\S>9O*SZ4FCI')%91ZA;WCW*NXC-'B7C
M#P9E^VK -!3%4HT/S99ZQK>NZ5;Q,&T*6V
MBDN*JTSQK)(/K""1(4+ \$C1E0JOVWY/BK-=._+'R-IGFT^:],TF&P
MUI[=[666V'I1NDC*Q+1)2/G\']YQY?S8J\2_YS3\XM;Z#HOD^U8F?4YC?7B+
MU](E(\))G+#_*@Q5Y+^:?D:[_ "?\T^1=9TZ(Q7 L;.\N"6)5]3LV!O%J
M?V&+1_#_ "OBK[CT;5;/6-(LM6L7]2SU""*ZMG\8YD#H?^!;%7Q3_P X^W.B
M6WY\:G)K4MK#8\-1!>]:-8N1E%-Y?AY8JC?^
ZM$8@%_JID64+7J
MP$RMQ_E5V_9Q5]7ZQJ^G:/I5WJNI3K;6%E$\]S.YH%1!4G%7QG_SBK9W6O\
MYXWGF!(RMO:PWM[.W96NF,:)7^8^LU/]1L5>C_\ .8?YG'3=#MO(>FR?Z=JX
M6XU4KN4M$;]W'\YY5K_QCB_EEQ5XCJWE7SE^1GF_RAYCD)>YN+:+4.!4QJ'(
MXWEA(:M5DC?TY'7_ ']\.*ONWRYK^F>8="L-
F[XJPO_G''\K?/WY=:9J^E
M>8[JRGTZZFCN;"*TDDD9)N)28MSCB 5U6'_@,58-^8O_ #B1J;^8Y?,7Y
;]_P R
MM)\G:)!#=1M9R:IYAO)"Q%M:$^G;+%P/$S3R_LM]F)?4XMBK'+#S]^:7G5KK
M4?R]T_1H/+%M<2VMIJ>NR73-?M Q1Y;>.U'[N#F&17D+M_D?:1%49HWYL:E=
M^4_.4NH:6FG>)4%P^IZ2TAD@9TMWN+:6.0!6-O
ISK3C0\>/'%6U\D7(_-E_//UM/JS:$-%^H\#SYB\^L^KSKQX\3PX\<
M58U;_EK^8'E74-2'Y?Z]8V^@ZI>2+;17GLH7O6?5+:61Y+>5
MX^:K(ZS!EGF=(9.$K>KBJ_R#Y%:Y\T>4'\PZ(\L&C^2=,CB:[A)A@U*&<\E^
M,6K..^FN;>.WU""ZBE@L9-3@$L(9E6]LX@S
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MSV.M:EKFO0V/E[AJ=M^C)=%U*VTV:[OKT1O')+-%J*D1Z>EFW*,QC]ZWQ/\
M$LRKBJ(\Z^1IKNW_ #-UF/1)YO, U33YO+M\D+M<@6\%DWJ634JO&02^H\'V
M_B27EPXXJE?YA>7)KE?/-I?>7;S5/.E[JL%WY=U2&SEG5-+3ZOZ02Z5?3CBM
M^$ZS6_/D\C?W